Glass Elil4il. Book_-Jij^6 PRESENTED Wf THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA =2.-}/^ Gustavo Niederlein CHIEF OF TH i SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT THE PHILADELPHIA COMMERCIAL MUSEUM H p. Publ. 13 F '03 THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUMS, Established by Ordinance of City Councils, 1894. 233 South Fourth Street. BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Ex-Officio. Hon. DANIEL H. HASTINGS, Governor of Pennsylvania. Hon. CHARLES F. WARWICK, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. JAMES L. MILES, President of Select Council. WENCEL HARTMAN, President of Common Council. SAMUEL B. HUEY, President of the Board of Public Education. Dr. EDWARD BROOKS, Superintendent of Public Schools. NATHAN C. SCHAEFFER, State Superintendent of Public Schools. J. T. ROTHROCK, B. S., M. D., State Forestry Commissioner. Permanent Trustees, WILLIAM PEPPER, M. D.,' LL.D., THOMAS MEEHAN, CHARLES H. CRAMP, DANIEL BAUGH, THOMAS DOLAN, W. W. FOULKROD, GEORGE F. EDMUNDS, FRANK THOMSON, WILLIAM M. ELKINS, JOHN WANAMAKER, Mrs. CORNELIUS STEVENSON, Sc.D., P. A, B. WIDENER, SIMON GRATZ, SYDNEY L. WRIGHT. OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WM. PEPPER, M. D., LL.D., President. CHARLES H. CRAMP, Vice-President. SYDNEY h. WRIGHT, • ■■ Treasurer. WIIvLIAM M. WATTS, ■■ '■ Secretary. OFFICERS OF THE MUSEUM. WILLIAM P. WILSON, Sc.D., Director. WILIvIAM HARPER, Chief of the Bureau of Information. C. A. GREEN, Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Information. WILFRED H. SCHOFF, Foreign Secretary of tjie Bureau of Iujformation„ GUST AVE NIEDERLEIN, Chief of the Scientific Department. WM. B. MARSHALL, Curator of Natural Products. LOUIS J. MATOS, Chief of Laboratories. Introduction. I HIS monograph treats of the topography, geology, min- eral wealth and soils of Costa Rica; it describes its cli- mate and presents the details of its flora and fauna with refer- ence to their economic value; it displays the distribution of population according to race, wealth, communities and social ■conditions; it examines the agricultural development of the Republic, including its live stock and forests; and, finally, it recounts the most important features of its commerce, in- dustry, finance, and of its economic and political conditions. It is made up of observations and studies pursued in 1897 and 1898, during seven and a half months of economic and scientific explorations in Central America, and of facts gar- nered with great care from authoritative manuscripts, books and official documents and publications. Respect has been shown to the work of men of originality in research and thought, and care has been taken to adhere closely to the original text when either quoting or translating. I am es- pecially indebted to Professor H. Pittier, whose great quali- fications for a scientific exploration of Costa Rica cannot be •overestimated; to Mr. Anastasio Alfaro, the Director of the National Museum; to Mr. Manuel Aragon, the Director Gen- eral of the National Statistical Department; to Dr. Juan Ullua, the Minister of Fomento; to Joaquin B. Calvo, Minister Resident in Washington; and Mr. Rafael Iglesias, the able President of the Republic of Costa Rica. ^5; The State of Costa Rica. TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND MINERAL WEALTH. Costa Rica, the southernmost Republic of Central Amer- ica, is advantageously situated within the North tropical zone^ adjoining Colombia, the most northern state of South Amer- ica. It is between the two great oceans, having also the pros- pect of one inter-oceanic ship-canal at one extremity and an- other ship-canal near the other. Costa Rica is between 8° and ii° i6' N. latitude and 8i° 35' and 85° 40' W. longitude from Greenwich. Its- area is between 54,070 and 59,570 sq. kilometers, the dif- ference arising from the boundary line unsettled with Co- lombia. We follow here Colonel George Earl Church's paper- in the London Geographical Journal of July, 1897, whicb gives in a condensed form all important results of extensive explorations by Professor H. Pittier as well as well-written abstracts o'f important publications of the "Instituto fisico geo- grafico Nacional" and of the "Museo Nacional" of Costa Rica.. The mountains of Costa Rica are not a continuous Cor- dillera, although in general they extend from the frontier o£ (7) Colombia to within a few miles of Brito. The entire country may properly be divided into two distinctive groups by a natural line running between the mouths of the Reventazon and Rio Grande de Pirris; groups which can be called "vol- canic mountains" or "mountains of the northwest," and "Tal- amanca mountains" or "mountains of the southeast." It is clear that the Caribbean Sea once joined the Pacific Ocean through this valley of the river Reventazon in which the Costa Rica Railway now climbs to reach Cartago. In weighing existing data there seems to be no room for doubt that the highlands of Costa Rica once formed part of a vast archipelago extending from Panama to Tchuantepec. The lowest inter-oceanic depressions between the Arctic Ocean and the Straits of Magellan are the divide between the two oceans at Panama which is 286 feet above the sea level, and the narrow strip of land separating Lake Nicaragua from the Pacific, which has only about 150 feet elevation The "volcanic mountains" or "the mountains of the northwest" can again be divided into two sections. The first comprises the part situated between the Rio Reventazon and a depression which connects San Ramon with the water-shed of San Carlo'S, including the groups of the volcanoes Turialba {11,000 feet), Irazu (11,200 feet), Barba (9335 feet) and Poas (8675 feet). The second section comprises the part which ex- '' tends from the Barranca River to the Lake of Nicaragua wi:h the groups of Tilaran, Miravalles, La Vieja and Orosi. The first section may be called "Cordillera Central" or ""Condillera del Irazu" and the second "Cordillera del Mira- valles." The three masses which form the volcanic Cordillera of Irazii are separated by two depressions: first by that of La Palma, 1500 meters above the sea, between Irazu and Barba, and second by that of Desengafio, 1800 meters above the sea, between Barba and Poas. The basis of the two western masses seems to be formed of basaltic rocks, while the trachytes dominate in the eastern mass. Irazu and Turialba, which is part of the same mass, seem to have ejected lavas in a compact state. The height of volcanoes diminishes towards the west. The three orographic groups which dominate the aiorthern (Central plateau do not show the regular conical form which usually characterizes a volcano. The general line of the southern slopes ascends in an imperceptible manner to- wards the summit, notwithstanding that they are composed of a succession of terrace plains. On the Irazu, for instance, eight such terraces are observable from Cartago to the sum- mit. The northern declivity is more precipitous, being over "60° on the Irazu. The peak of the Irazu is a point from which go various spurs and secondary mountains in opposite directions, one to the west and one to the east, the latter terminating in a crater where the Parismina River takes its origin. The west- • ern -mountains trend first in a westerly direction to the Cerro Pelon, where they divide, one part descending south to the pass •of Ochomogo, 1540 meters above sea-level; the other, after -.taking a northwesterly direction, terminating in the plain of La Palma, which is a part of the water-shed of the two oceans. On the south various mountains follow the rivers Pirris and Turialba. The Irazii has various craters, formed successively, each one contributing to the gradual rising of the mass. The Irazu, which had eruptions in 1723, 1726, 1821 and .1847, has now an altitude of 3414 m. (11,200 feet), and from its summit both oceans are visible, and also the great valleys of San Juan and of Lake Nicaragua, as well as the mountains of Pico Blanco, Chirripo, Buena Vista and Las Vueltas. Turialba had a famous eruption of sand and ashes which began on the 17th of August, 1864, and lasted to March, 1865. Its heaviest ejected matter fell to the west, and See- bach classifies it as andesite. Another eruption, occurring on February 6, 1866, was accompanied by heavy earthquakes and sent its ashes as far as Puntarenas. The Cordillera del Miravalles commences with the vol- cano Orosi, situated near the southwest extremity of Lake Nicaragua. In its southeast trend it recedes more and more from the lake and the San Juan River. It is an irregular, broad and volcano-dotted chain, about sixty geographical miles long, breaking down gradually on the northwest from ■Orosi to the Sapoa River, one of the southern boundaries of lO Nicaragua. In this short distance are found the Cerro de la. Vieja (6508 feet), the Montemuerto (8000 feet), the beautiful volcano Tenorio (6700 feet), the volcanoes Miravalles (4665 feet), the Rinoon (4498 feet), and the Orosi (5195 feet). These mountains, as far as they have been examined, are found to be of eruptive origin, basalts and trachytes predomi- nating, but extensive sedimentary rock formations are also found upon their slopes, as well as vast deposits of boulders, clay, earth and volcanic material. The peninsula of Nicoya, forming a part of Guanacaste,. is partly an elevated plain and partly consists of hills and mountain ridges seldom attaining a greaiter elevation than 1500 feet. It is also composed of eruptive rocks and sedi- mentary formations, the latter being especially visible in the valley of Tempi s que. Between the northern volcanic section and the more regular Talamanca range is the notable "Ochomogo" Pass, about twenty miles broad, and a little more than 5000 feet above the sea-level at the water parting. To the eastward through this gap, and in a broad, deeply eroded valley, runs the tumultuous Reventazon River, and to the westward the Rio Grande de Pirris. On the south of this depression the Chirripo Grande mountain mass sends of¥ east and west two immense flanking ranges. A part of the western range, lying between San Marcos and Santa Maria, for a length of about six miles, is known as the Dota ridge, to which former explorers gave great importance. This lofty, transverse and precipitous mounitain system almost forbids communication between the northern and southern halves of the Republic, and, as Colonel Church says, must at all times have had a marked influence on the move- ment of races in this part of Central America. Both the northern and Talamanca sections present mountains in masses instead of sierrated like many Andean chains of North America. Those of the Talamanca section are Rovalo (7050 feet), Pico Blanco (9650 feet), Chirripo Grande (11,850 feet) and Buena Vista (10,820 feet). There are no signs 'A' recent volcanic activity in the Talamanca range. The Tala- manca mountains have narrow crests and are very precip- II itous on the Atlantic side, with evidences of extensive de- nudations and erosions caused by the ceaseless ' rain-laden trade-winds. Professor William M. Gabb, in his geological sketch of Talamanca, observes that the geological structure of the en- tire region is very simple. The greatest expanse is occupied by recent sedimentary rocks raised and nearly entirely meta- morphosed by the action of volcanic masses. At several points along the Atlantic coast, there are found masses of rocks of still later date. Professor Gabb maintains that the nucleus of the great Cordillera of the in- terior is formed by granites and syenites, which, like the sedi- ment that covers them, are broken through here and there by dikes of volcanic origin identical with the eruptive ma- terial found on a greater scale in the northern part of Costa Rica. The syenites are intrusive and have their culminating point and greatest development in the Pico Blanco or Kamuk, a mountain of great altitude, unusual ruggedness and scarred with deep and precipitous canons. All these dikes are of more modern formation and are porphyritic. Professor Gabb also notes a thick deposit of conglomerates and sandstones, schists and limestones, the schists being the most abundant; although the conglomerates, fo-und all over the region, indi- cate the previous existence of an older sedimentary formation. The pebbles which form the conglomerates are composed of metamorphic clay, having a character distinct from all the other rocks found in the' country. The cement is also clay or sand. The absence of crystalline rocks in the conglom- erates is irrefutable proof that, when these were deposited, the syenites and granites had not yet appeared from the interior of the earth. The limestone and sandstone represent a less de- veloped geographical horizon of the sedimentary group, the latter appearing occasionally in layers, interstratified with conglomerates or more recent schists. In no place in Tala- manca have fossils been found in these sandstones, although the same rocks are very fossiliferous near Zapote on the River Reventazon. In regard to fossils. Professor Gabb saw at Las Lomas Station, about seven hundred feet above the sea, in the Bonilla 12 Cliffs cuifting, shark's tecth, compact masses of sea shells, fish, etc, and at an elevation of 2500 feet large deposits of compact shell limestone. The schists have a fine, leaf-like texture, and are easily de- composed and reduced to a black mud, if they have not been metamorphosed. In this rock fossils have been found which belong to a Miocene age. Along the Talamanca coast calcareous deposits are found in horizontal layers, and are probably elevajted coral reefs, a rock which Professor Gabb calls "antillite," and which is developed in the entire Caribbean region. It be- longs to the post-Pliocene formation, the last of the Tertiary series. In the interior valleys a thick deposit of pebbles and clays of recent origin is observed. The limit between the syenites of the high mountains and the metamorpWosed Miiocene formation is found in proximity to the Depuk River. In the slopes of the hills the schists are usually deco.mposed and covered with red clay, a sub-soil above which is found a small ■cap of fertile vegetable mold. In the valley of Tsuku the schists are profoundly altered and transformed in a mag- nesic or semi-talcous rock. The schists are more silicified in coming near to the limits of the syenites. Higher up, the granitic rocks extend in the direction of the Pico Blanco without interruption. The Pico Blanco itself is of granite. Three hundred feet below the summit porphyry is observed, while the summit itself shows a greenish-brown trachyte with black spots. In regard to the Pacific side of this Talamanca section. Professor H. Pittier says, "The southern coast Cordillera, as a whole, is formed of a nucleus of basaltic or syenitic rocks, above which are found successively limestone in very deep banks and sometimes fossiliferous ; then argillaceous and marly schists; again, sandstone and conglomerates, the latter forming generally the crests of the hills and giving way very easily to atmospheric action, which produces its decomposi- tion and is the cause of sterile lands characterized by savannas and the absence of forests on the upper parts of the mountains, as well as in certain lower and denuded parts. 13 The conglomerates are made up of heterogeneous elements- whose resistance to erosion is variable. Some disintegrate as soon as the}- are exposed to erosion, while others re- main unaltered for a long time. For this reason the savannas are in many places covered with stones of varied sizes. The lower valley of the Pirris presents a cap of im- pervious red clay, and as the waters do not readily drain off they become stagnant and make an unhealthy district. Dr. Frantzius, referring to the same region, speaks of diorites and syenites, also of calcareous deposits of the Miocene age covered with sandstone formations containing useful lignites. In his opinion the mountain of Dota is formed almost entirely of dioritic rocks with some syenitic nucleus. The same scientist says further that the high plains of Caiios Gordas are formed of conglomerates of ashes ejected by the volcano of Chiriqui and brought there by the trade^ winds which prevail in Central America The Pacific slope, which comes boldly to the water's edge, is margined almost throughout by headlands and lofty hills, and has fewer evidences of extensive denudations and erosions than the Atlantic coast. There is also a notable difference between the outlines of the two coasts. The eastern is regular and slightly concave to the southwest, while the western is indented with large and small bays and gulfs. The most northern of these bays is the Salinas, belonging partly to Nicaragua and partly to Costa Rica. It is a spacious deep-water harbor, overlooked by the volcanic peak of Orosi. It is separated from the adjoining bay, the Santa Elena, by Sacate Point. Continuing south, we come, south of Cacique Point, to Port Culebra, which is a mile wide, with a depth of eighteen fathoms. At the outlet of this harbor lies CocosBay, capa- cious enough for a thousand ships to anchor in the roadstead. The coast line south of Cocos Bay, bordered by numer- ous and lofty hills and cut into gorges by small impetuous water courses, presents no harbor as far as Cape Blanco, which is at the western entrance of the extensive Gulf of Nicoya. The gulf extends fifty miles to the northwest and is.. 14 a magnificent sheet of water, surrounded by green scenery, rivaling, if not surpassing, that of the Bay of Naples, the Bosphorus, or the harbor of Rio de Janeiro. Some twenty islands, large and small, nearly all bold, rocky and covered with vegetation, contribute to its beauty, while many small rivers, draining the slopes of the Miravalles and Tilaran sierras and the mountains of the peninsula of Nicoya, flow into it and diversify the scenery. The principal river, the Tempisque, enters at the head of the gulf, and with numerous small branches irrigates much of the province of Guanacaste. All of the streams have bars at their mouths, composed generally of mud and broken sihells, and but few of them are navigable even for a short distance inland, and then by very small craft. The whole eastern part of the peninsula of Nicoya is broken into hills and low mountains, wild and rarely cultivated, although there are many beautiful and fer- tile valleys. The west side of the gulf is full of reefs, rocks, violent currents, eddies that run from one to three and a half miles an hour, and is subject to violent squalls coming from the northwestern sierras. The eastern shore is less beset by ■obstructions, and small craft go along it with ease, and at high tide penetrate a few of its many rivers. It rises rapidly a short distance inland, but is at times bordered by mangrove swamps. Near the mouth of the river x\ranjuez, on a sand spit three miles long, stands Puntarenas, the only port of entry of Costa Rica on the Pacific coast, and which 'had, from 1814 until recently, nearly the entire foreign trade of the country. Ocean vessels anchor from one to two miles ofif in the road- stead. There is an iron pier for loading and discharging. From Puntarenas 'southward to the unnavigable Bar- ranca River there is a broad beach lying at the foot of the high escarpment of Caldera. The Rio Grande de Tarcoles, which enters the gulf south of the Barranca, has a dangerous bar, but once inside it ma\' "be navigated a few miles. Its upper waters irrigate the table- land of San Jose, Alajuela and Heredia. In the neighbor- hood of these towns is garnered nearly the entire coffee crop of Costa Rica. The coast line south is rocky and precipitous 15 until near Punta Mala, or Judas, at the southeastern mouth -of the gulf, and is low and surrounded by reefs and rocks. From Point Judas, low and covered with mangrove -swamps, the coast trends southeast in a long angular curve for about one hundred marine miles to Point Llorena. It is dom- inated by lofity hills, cut through at intervals by short impet- uous streams and a few estuaries. The only safe and excel- Jent anchorage in this one hundred miles is Uvita Bay, be- hind a rocky reef. From the precipitous headline, called Punta Llorena, to Burica Point, the southern limit of Costa Rica, the coast is abrupt, soon rising into ridges and peaks from 300 to 700 meters high (985 to 2300 feet). These give birth to a few short turbulent streams. About half way be- tween these two points the great Golfo Dulce, having a main width of six miles, penetrates inland northwest about twenty- eight miles. It has an average depth of one hundred fathoms. Cape Matapalo, which marks its western entrance, is deep and forest covered, but Banco Point, opposite to it, is low. At the head of the gulf is found the little Bay of Rincon. From here to the Esquinas River, at the northeast angle of the gulf, the shore is hilly, and thence to the harbor of Golfito, which is surrounded by high hills, the country rises rapidly inland, but between Golfito and the entrance to the gulf it is lower and less broken, and thence to Platanal Point and Burica Point, the coast is bold, the country descending grad- ually from the northeast. From Point Llorena to Point Burica the coast is wild and almost uninhabited. The coasts of Golfo Dulce have but a few hundred half-breeds as their sole occupants. There are but two rivers in the long coast line from the Gulf of Nicoya to the Golfo Dulce, the Rio Grande de Pirris, and the Rio Grande de Terraba, the head waters of the former flowing through deep canyons with steep sides, which are almost bare of vegetation until the region of Guaitil is reached, where dense forests are encountered. The valley of the Rio Grande de Terraba is one of the most beautiful, ex- tensive and fertile of Costa Rica, but is occupied by only a few families. Formerly it was the home of a large indige- nous population. i6 In the angle made by the River Buena Vista and Ohirripo there is a vast ancient cemetery, the graves of which contain many ornaments of gold, principally eagles. An ancient road runs by near this place. Turning to the hydrographic basin of the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua, the northeastern slope of the Miravalles range is found to send off several small streams to the lake. Between Cuajiniquil, two and one-fo'Urth miles east of Rio Sapoa, and Tortuga, six miles further east, are the little streams, Lapita, El Cangrejo, Puente de Piedra, La Vivora, Guabo, Genizaro and Tortuga, the latter the greatest in vol- ume, being about one hundred and sixty feet wide at its mouth and navigable. In the further distance of seventeen miles going east, we cross the rivers Zavalos, Cafiitas,. Que&era, Mena, Mioo, Sapotillo, Quijada, Quijadita, Santa Barbara', Sardinia, Barreal, Caiias, Perrito and, finally. Las Haciendas which is navigable by small boats. Fro'm here to San Carlos, at the outlet of Lake Nicaragua, the distance is sixty-four kilometers, and the principal rivers which cross this tract are El Pizote, Papalusco, Guacolito, Zapote, Cafio Negro and Rio Frio. The Rio Frio is of considerable magni- tude, and with its many branches drains a large area of the territory lying on the slopes of the volcanoes of Miravalles and Tenorio. It pours much sedimentary matter into Lake Nicaragua, and has thrown an extensive mudbank across the lake entrance to the River San Juan. For three or four miles above the mouth of the River Frio the lands are low and swampy. Several of its branches can be reached and navigated by canoe, and even a small river steamer can ascend a few miles from the lake. The San Carlos Riveir joins the San Juan sixty-five miles from Lake Nicaragua. The depth of its mouth, which is obstructed by a sand-bar, varies from eight to twenty feet,, according to the season. The San Carlos has numerous afifluents which at times have a volume of water altogether disproportionate to their leng*ths. The distance up to the first rapid of the San Carlos River, which is at El Muelle de San Rafael where there are from four to six feet of water, is roughly fixed at six'ty-two. 17 miles by the course of the river. Small steamers could reach this point, although with difficulty on account of many snags. The floods sometimes rise to their full height in twenty-four hours and carry with them a great number of trees and much sand, from which floating islands are formed. Should the plans of Engineer Menocal for the Nicaragua Canal be realized, the waters of the upper San Juan and the lower San Carlos would be impounded and form an arm of Lake Nicaragua, which would flood a large area in Costa Rica. The interval between the San Carlos and the River Frio is an extensive forest, covering an undulating plain with occasional low hills and watered by numerous little streams. This territory is fertile and beautiful. The next great river, the Sarapiqui, reaches the San Juan about twenty miles east of San Carlos. It is 600 feet wide at its mouth, and has numerous affluents from the sides of the volcanoes Poas, Barba and Irazu, the principal ones being the Toro Amarilla and Sardinal from the west, and the River Sucio from the east. The river is navigable for large canoes up to its confluence with the Puerto Viejo. Its banks as high up as to the River Sucio are low. The lands are ex- tremely fertile. El Muelle Nuevo is the head of navigation, . forty-five miles from the River San Juan and sixty-six miles by the road across the mountains from San Jose. From the Sarapiqui River to the River Colorado, a branich or bayou of the San Juan, the banks of the latter in Costa Rica are but slightly elevated. The lands are low and swampy, but occasionally a hill is found from fifteen to eighteen feet high. Below the Machuca Rapids the San Juan River is broad and deep as far as the junction with its Colorado outlet, about seventeen miles from the sea. Here it turns about nine-tenths of its volume of water into the Colorado. It is navigable for river steaimers at all seasons, but has a dangerous bar at its mouth where the sea breaks heavily, and on which there are only from eig^ht to nine feet of water. From the Colorado Junction to Greytown, some twenty miles distant, the San Juan averages about three hundred i8 feet in width for sixteen miles and loo feet for the remaining four, with a depth at high water of from six to eight feet. The Colorado has several islands in its course, but has excellent anchorage at its mouth. This river forms several lagoons which communicate with each other by cafios or bayous perfectly navigable, the principal being the Agua Duke, a short distance from the sea, eleven miles in length, 800 feet in width and from ten to forty feet in depth. Passing from the difficult Cafio de la Palma in the midst of swamps, the Caiio de Tortuguero is reached, the entrance to which from the sea is called Cuatro Esquinas. It is approximately thirty-eight miles long, about one thou- sand feet in width, with a depth of from fifty to sixty feet. The rivers Palacio and Penetencia, navigable for boats, empty into this caiio. The River Tortuguero, which gives name to the plains watered by its affluents, is formed from sev- eral of these oafios, as the Cafio Desenredo, Cafio Agua Fria and Cafio de la Lomas. The Caiio de Tortuguero communi- cates with the Parismina by the cafios California and Fran- cisco Moria Soto, which are also navigable. The margins of the Parismina are swampy. It has as its afifluents the Guas- imo, Camaron, Novillos and the Destierro. The lower district drained by the Tortuguero is raised but little above the ocean, and in flood time the river com- municates by several cafios with the Matina and with the delta of the Colorado, as well as with the lagoon of Caiman, lying south of the Colorado. Its numerous upper streams rise in the spurs of Irazu and Turialba. The Sierpe and Parismina rivers flow into the sea south of Tortuguero. The former is short, but th-e Parismina with its several branches is a child of Irazu. Its lower course is sometimes considered to be a part of the River Reventazon, which however has its confluence with the former ■ a few miles from the sea. The Reventazon River has carved its way to a profound depth around the south and southeastern bases of Irazu and Turialba, and, flanking the latter volcano, it turns northward to join the Parismina. It receives many tributaries from the northern slope of the Talamanca range, and interweaves its 19 head waters with those of the Rio Grande de TarcoUes and the Rio Grande de Pirris, which flow into the Pacific Ocean. The Pacuare River, once known as Suerre, enters the sea about half way between the mouth of the Reventazon and that of the Matina. Its waiters, in 1630, instead of flowing to the sea, joineid the Reventazon, closing the port of Suerre, but in 165 1 Governor Salinas closed the northern channel, deflecting its waters and restoring the port. The Matina River is a short stream with a large volume of water, which enters the sea just north of Port Limon near the roadstead of Moin, where, up to 1880, ocean craft an- chored. The River Matina is navigable by small steamers over the bar and by large ones above the bar to the point where it receives its principal affluents, the Chirripo, Barbilla and Zent. It yearly overflows its lower valley, depositing an inch or two of exceedingly fertile mud highly appreciated by the banana planters. The entire mainland of the coast, from the River Colo- rado to the iMatina, is separated from the Caribbean Sea by a continuous narrow sand bank, between which and the main- land is a lagoon, said to be navigable the whole distance by boats. The intermediate rivers pour into this narrow lagoon, driving their currents across it, and, cutting through the sand bank, enter the sea. Sometimes a violent gale closes one of the openings, which are all shallow, but the river again forces an exit to the ocean through the obstruction. This whole coast for sixty-five miles, is forbidding and dangerors, and has but little depth of water within a mile of the shore, upon which a monotonous, heavy surf breaks during the entire year. It is only frequented from April until August by fisher- men, who find their way to the River San Juan through the intricate system of rivers and oafios described. Port Limon, in latitude 10° north and longitude 83° 3' 13" west from Greenwich, is the only port of entry of Costa Rica on the Caribbean Sea. The first house was built there in 1871. The harbor faces the south, and is formed by a little peninsula on which Limon is situated. It is behind a narrow coral reef. The site, which now has perhaps 3500 to 4000 population, is being raised with earth about four 20 feet, and its port will become one of the smoothest of the Caribbean Sea. A sm>all island, called Uvita, lies east at a dis- tance of 3660 feet from the town. Port Limon has a wooden pier 930 feet long, accommod'ating two sea-going s'hips, bat an iron pier is about to replace it, which will berth four large ones of deep draught. The Talamanca coast lying south of Limon is low, flat and swampy, except where it is broken by hills. The little River Banana is the first one met with going south, and its valleys produce large quantities of timber and bananas. Next co'mes the Estrella, also a short stream; then follows the Teliri, called in its lower course the Sicsola. It is the largest stream in Costa Rica south of Port Limon. It runs along the southern base of the great eastern mountains of the Talamianca range, through a spacious, undulating, wooded valley of 100 to 150 square miles area, partly low grounds, in some places dry and in others swampy. It has sev- eral branches, like the Uren coming from the slopes of the Pico Blanco, the Supurio and others. At the entry of the high valleys of the Teliri and Coen rivers, the pyramid-like mountains of Nefomin and Nenfiobete appear, at the foot of which the interior plain of Talaman'oa, fifteen kilometers in length and eight kilometers in width, extends from south- west to northeast, and so uniformly that the water courses run indifferently and frequently change their beds. Southward of Sicsola is the Tilorio or Changuinola, which makes a tur'bulent way to the sea from the Tal- amanca mountains. Along its lower margin mud flats spread to a great width, and, from its mouth towards the northwest, cover a region which surrounds also the lagoon of Sansan, and extends up the rivers Zhorquin and Sicsola. Behind the muddy zone the lands rise rapidly into hills, which in a few miles reach an altitude of several thousand feet, at times intermingling with the Cordillera. Along the entire sea margin of Talamanca runs a narrow sand belt of firm land, at times not a hundred feet wide, like that described between the Matina and San Juan rivers. Within this sandbelt are long, narrow, deep lagoons filled with ihalf-stagnant water from the mud flats. These 21 lagoons usually open into the rivers which descend from the mountains. Between the Sicsola and the Tilorio lies the already m-entioned, crooked and deep lagoon called the Laguna de Sansan. At Limon, Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, the hills, which are connected by spurs with the more elevated country of the interior, extend to the ocean coast. Between them, in plains extending from one to five miles inland, are forest-covered swam-ps, overflowed with not less than ten feet of water in the rainy season and only traversable in the dry. Cosita Rica claims sovereignty on the Atlantic side southeast as far as the Island of Escudo de Veragua, includ- ing the ancient Ducado de Veragua, whose frontier follows the coast of Chiriqui Viejo to the crest of the Cordillera, and crosses it to the headwaters of the River Calobebora, then down this stream to the Escudo de Veragua. Since their independence Colombia and Costa Rica have been in dispute in regard to their boundary line. Colombia has never ceased to claim jurisdiction over the entire Carib- bean coastt of Costa Rica, and even over that of Nicaragua as far north as Cape Gracias a Dios. In November, 1896, both governments signed a convention submitting their dispute to the arbitration of the President of the French Republic, or, in the event of his failure to act, to the President of Mexico or of the Swiss Confederation. The principal lakes of Costa Rica are the Laguna Manati, northwest from the Sarapiqui River; the Lagunas de Poas and de Barba, each on a volcano bearing its name; Lagunas de Sansan and Samay, towards the east and near the Sicsola River, in Talamanca; Laguna Tenoria, in Guanacaste; La- guna San Carlos, in the plains of San Carlos; Laguna de Arenal, between Las Cafias and San Carlos, and Laguna de Sierpe, in the south, northward from the Golfo Duke. Far away from Costa Rica, in the Pacific Ocean, lies the Cocos Island, about two hundred and sixty-six miles to the southwest of the Golfo Dulce, in N. latitude 5° 32' 57" and longitude 86° 58' 25" W. of Greenwich. Its highest point reaches 2250 feet, wherce the descent is gradual to a bold. 22 Steep coast, which has many irregularities and rocks and a surf-beaten shore. Chatham Bay is its best hafbor, having room for a dozen ships. The interior is broken into numer- ous fertile valleys, but ithere is probably not a square kilo- meter of level ground in the entire island. Other islands are Chira, Vena!do, San Lucas, Cafio, etc. Mineral Wealth. — 'In regard to the mineral wealth of Costa Rica, petroleum has been discovered near Uruchiko on the Talam'anca coast, and coal in certain sandstone forma- tions on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the Talamanca section. In the province of Alajuela, a little to the north of the cart road which runs from San Jose to Puentarenas, is Monte Aguacate, part of an old mountain range which extends far to the northwest, and not very distant from the Gulf of Nicoya. In general, it is of metamorphic formation, prin- cipally of diorite and porphyry. Here, in a good climate, at 2000 feet elevation, are found auriferous veins of great richness. They are of quartz mixed with decomposed feldspathic rocks, and have yielded very lu- crative bonanzas. The first mine was Guapinol, one bonanza of which produced $1,000,000. Several other mines were worked, from one of which (Los Castros) $2,000,000 Vi^ere taken in a few years. It is estimated, from the best data ob- tainable, that about i 1,000,000 have been taken from Monte Aguacate. Several of these veins are from six to seven feet wide, but that called the Quebrada Honda is sixteen feet wide. Most of the ore is of a high grade and of refractory character. It is probable that the whole southwestern slope of the Guatusos and Miravalles ranges of mountains is auriferous. The rocks in the northwestern extension of this district con- sist principally of feldspar, porphyry, basalt and dolorite. The gold veins nearly all run northeast and southwest, and are encased in feldspar, sometimes in porphyry, and occa- sionally in basalt. They consist, in great part, of crystalline quartz, and are from two to forty feet wide. Professor Pittier also found gold in the slopes of the Buena Vista mountain. Gold is further found in the Talamanca mountains, especially 23 in the placer grounds of the Duedi River, and on the inferior hills between the Lari and Coen rivers. Along the latter, and near Akbeta, also on the shore of Puerto Viejo, iron exists. Copper and silver. Professor Pittier says, have been dis- covered in Diquis, between Paso Real and Lagarto, and native copper in Puriscal. Other mines are included in the following table: The Principal Mines Registered in J 892. Name of Mine. Canton. h& Trinidad ...... La Union Sacrafamilia La Minita . . Mina de los Castros . San Rafael Mina de los Oreamiino . Quebrada Honda . . . . Machuca Trinidad de Aguacate Peiia Grande Mina de Acosta . . . Palmares Las Concavas .... Mancuerna Mata Palo Puerta de Palacio . . Hoja Chiques . . Chapernal Esparza . Puntarenas Alajuela . San Ramon Cartago . Sardinal . lyocation. Rio Ciruelitas . . . Shores of Rio Seco . Monte de Aguacate Corralillo . . . Product. Quebrada Honda corralillo .... Cerro de San Ramon Shores of Rio Jesus Cordillera de Aguacate Rio de Agua Caliente Sardinal Gold and silver ores. Gold, silver and lead ores. Copper ore. It should be stated that, with the exception of gold and some silver, little is mined. The deposits of coal, petroleum, copper and silver have thus far yielded, under present methods of management, outputs of no commercial value. However, anthracite is found at Santa Maria Dota, De- partment of Puriscal. A specimen of it, analyzed by Dr. L. J. Matos^ chief of the laboratories of the Philadelphia Com- mercial Museum, gave these results: It is a good quality of anthracite coal and compares very favorably with the best grades that are mined in Pennsyl- vania. Color, black; slight tendency to show irridescence; fracture, conchoidal, brittle; analysis, specific gravity, 1,343; weight per cubic foot, 83.93 pounds. 24 Proximate composition : Moisture 2.60 per cei^t. Volatile matter 3.56 Fixed carbon 88.20 Ash 5.64 Total 100 Sulphur 4319 Coke 93-84 Coke per ton of coal 2002.01 pounds. Fuel value 9.14 " Fuel ratio •. 1:24.77 There are to be mentioned also some rnineral waters, as, for instance, those near the mouth of the Isqui River, on the Talamanca coast; those in Agua. CaHente, about five miles from the City of Cartag'o and belonging to the Bella Vista Company; those of Orosi and Salitral, of Poas, Miravalles, Ausoles, Bagaces, San Carlos, Liberia, San Roque, etc. II. CLIMATE OF COSTA RICA. The climate of Costa Rica depends on its situation in tlie tropics, on the position of the sun at different times of the year, and on the topography, but, owing to the narrow- ness of the country and its situation between the two great oceans, it is well-tempered by the alisios (northeast trades) and other winds. I begin this chapter with the following table which gives the Meteorological Conditions in San Jose During the Year 1896. Temperature in C.° Kvapora- tion. Humidity. Atm'sph'ic Pressure. Max. Min. Average. Average. Average. Average in mm. Per cent. January . . . 28.5 10.8 18.60 26.97 78 66586 February 31.8 10.5 19.24 33-97 74 665.39 March . 32.4 12.2 19.84 42.77 70 665.38 April . . 28.4 14.8 20.13 19.65 84 664.87 May . . 29.2 15.8 20.10 19.84 83 665.32 June . . 28.8 14.9 20.32 18.67 84 665.09 July . . 29.2 15.8 20.10 19.84 83 66532 August . 29.2 14.7 20.17 22.81 82 664-38 September 26.6 14.4 19.97 17.87 85 664.83 October. . 28.4 14.8 20.13 19-65 84 664.87 November 29.0 14.2 19.78 19-93 84 664.70 December . . 27.7 11.9 19-30 25.29 80 665 36 Average . . 28.71 j 13.73 19.81 23-94 81 665.2: First Half of 1897. Temperature in C.° Evapora- tion. Humidity. Atm'sph'ic Pressure. Max. Min. Average. Average. Average. Average in mm. January . . . February . . . March .... April May June 29-5 31-9 31-7 32-7 30.3 293 13. 1 8.2 10.9 12.2 14.0 155 19.25 19.78 20.51 21.02 20.52 20.40 Per 30-77 44.89 36.68 36.80 24.29 16.40 cent. . 78 70 72 74 82 85 665.53 466.52 665.70 665.59 665.52 665.32 (25) 26 The average atmospheric pressure of San Jose, the cap- ital of the country, is 665.21 mm. The maximum oc- curs regularly during the -months from October to March inclusive, at nine o'clock a. m., and during the rest of the year at eleven o'clock p. m. The minimum occurs always in the afternoon at four o'clock during the first eight months of the year, and at three o'clock during the last four months. The prevailing wind is fro^m the northeast, or, better, north-northeast and east. During August, September and October an increase of the northwest winds causes the heavy rains of that season. West-northwest and northwest winds blow also from May to August. The daily variation of winds is generally as follows : At seven a. m. the most frequent winds blow from S. E., to N. E. ; at ten o'clock a. m, from E. to N. N. E; at one o'clock and at four o'clock p. m. from E. N. E. to N.; from seven o'clock p. m. the movement is retrograde. The veloc- ity is least from seven to ten o'clock a. m., and most from one to four o'clock p. m. In 1889, during the time of observations at San Jose, there were noted 13 hours of north winds, 186 N. N. E., 571 N. E., 227 E. N. E., 93 E., 58 E. S. E., 25 S. E., 6 S. S. E., S. none, S. S. W. none, i S. W., 3 W. S. W., 4 W., 83 W. N. W. The number of calms is small. The wind is nearly al- ways moderate, but during the dry season the dust whirled up in the cities is very disagreeable. The climate of the uplands is an eternal spring. The coldest month is January; December and February are relatively cold. The hottest months are May and June. The heat is, at all times, moderate and agreeable. The course of the temperature has all the characters of an insular climate, without having so much humidity. The oscillation of the average temperature is greatest in March and during the dry season, as at that time the sky is clear and the soil exposed to uninterrupted insolation during the day, while the earth's radiation of heat during the night is rapid. Also the daily oscillation is considerable during the dry season, and continues during the first month of the rainy season, according to the condition of the sky. 27 In 1890 the sun shone in San Jose 191 1 hours, that is an averag-e of five hours and fourteen minutes per day. Febru- ary is the month of most sunshine and least nebulosity. The hour of mosit sunshine during the year is that between eight and nine a. m., and that of the least is in the afternoon. The oscillation of the temperature of the soil is, at a depth of one meter, 2, 13° C, per year. At a depth of three meters, the temperature of the soil is lowest in February and March, when it is 20, 48° C, and highest in August, when it is 20, 75° C. The daily variation is almost nothing during the first three m'onths of the year, and the sky is relatively clear, while, from May to October, not one day is clear. During the hottest hours of the day the sky begins regularly to be darkened by clouds, due to ascending atmospheric currents. In San Jose the sky is ordinarily clear between midnight and noon, even during the most rainy mo>nths, and cloudy the rest of the twenty-four hours. Although the rainfalls are abundant here from May to October, with rare exceptions they do not last more than a few hours each day. The morn- ings are generally splendid and the air very pure, and nearly every day the sunset can be clearly observed. From May to November there are about two hours of copious rain daily between oue and four o'clock in the after- noon, averaging, with great regularity, from ten to twelve inches a month, and from seventy to eighty inches during the year. Towards the end of June there is a short dry period called "Veranillo de San Juan." Through the Desengafio and Palma Passes the northern rains penetrate a short distance every day, and the northern descent of the Palma towards Carillo is probably the most rainy district of the Republic. At Tres Rios, having an elevaition of 4140 feet, six miles east of San Jose, at the western foot of the Ochomogo Pass, the rain record for 126 days out of ten months showed a fall of 100 inches, while at San Jose, during the same period of ten months there were 147 rainy days, with a fall of eighty- four inches. In the month of May Professor Pittier, to whom we owe these excellent data, measured nine inches in rainfall in one and one-half hours. 28 a* a I u ON CO >< •mm S - 1 1 1 O 1-1 OOO w N S COCOW 1 CH ■* 1 COOO COt>. 1 t^vO 1 CO 0« M 11 MM 1 •sXBa §""■''' SS'&H'' E'?' ' •mm 1 '3§.'- ^^S^iJ^^S* 5"" '"'*'- •S/isa IN ^. tN M M M CS M (N « > o 1 vo ooo^^ot>»u^a^o■■d-oo •ram 1 5:?-p,^S-5?j:?£^^g>^^- 1 r^ so vo OS Ov c^vo vo lo o>oo os •sXBa M^. i-ii-,«i-i««««i-,«w^. o O ■rara « vo-^i-i«"<^lOOM-i^Ot^N 1 VOo.. Oi-iNTj-COCSCOTf-a-Ol-i- 1 " CS N N ■ ■sXbq ID iHi-iMloOO^t^-^MOiOON i 1 0\ lO O " ^00 cot~.Tftsvo cs r^TfO CO t^_ . 1-1 t^OO C»OC^" rara O - O^^ O lOVO CO M t^ CO C in CO ■*'^' CO«N«CSi-il-icOtHCSMi-i 1 •<*• "<;^oo o- lo M r^ M o i-i ovo co ■SiCea f)^. ««MPlDMMCOMl-.«M 3 1—1 "mtn c^ 0*1 ir^cocoO'iNini i r^p.. ool locsiocoloovol 1 •s/Cbq CO M 1 1 t^ ONiO N 1 >0 0\ 1 1 l-lp.. l-ll ImMMmIi-IhI 1 ^ s I (s Mitr^orooicot^ii •rara fff- g!) ' ' ?? fr " « « « ' ' •sXbq "p.. i-il Ini-ii-i>-iIi-i«I 1 p. < •rara g"-^ 1 'vS^^S 1 J??' ' 1 S" S" 1 1 H S*2 2 12 2 1 1 •ram i*^. CO 1 1 ^ -r N 1 11 •SiCBQ -1-. " 1 1 M M II II 1 Ti-ocoi io>o\rivo|0| 1 1 •ram "SS?" •sXbq ic '2||222"|°f|l •-> •utni 0). OO 3rt 2 Mo I* -^ .t; '^ .I . 3 _^ .S « H •'3 J " ■ c ^ • t« MS 5<; JJ 3 .rt.aS2gf c8.Srtfl"t33'^ 29 The daily curve of rainfall shows a minimum very ac- centuated in the first half of the day. Rain begins to fall about eleven o'clock, and continues to augment rapidly from hour to hour until it reaches its maximum between four and five o'clock p. m.; fro'm this time on it diminishes gradually until morning. The daily maximum of rain is reached about sunset, although in January the heaviest rainfalls are ob- served between one and two o'clock p. m. The most prob- able hour of rain is between four and five o'clock p. m. It seldom rains between three and four o'clock, and very seldom during the morning hours. Thunderstorms reach their maximum in May. The rela- tive humidity of the air is such that the climate can be con- sidered a favored one. Its annual curve shows three minima and three maxima. The minima are observed between Feb- ruary an-d March, in July, and between November and De- cember; the maxima in June, September and December. These lines, of course, are parallel with those indicating the distribution of rain. The maximum is noted at sunrise, the minimum at two o'clock p. m., with an average oscillation jf twenty-four per cent. From 1866 to 1880, the rain gauge record kept by Mason at San Jose shows a yearly average precipitation of sixty- four and one-fourth inches, or 163 1 millimeters. It is as follows: The Rainfall in San Tose from 1866 to 1880 in Mm. 1866. . . . 1867. . . . 1868 . . . . 1869 . . . . 1870 . . . . 1871 . . . . 1872 . . . . 1873. . • • 1874. . . . 1875. . . . 1876. . . . 1877. . . . 1878. . . . iR-'g . . . . i88o. . . . Average 208 222 250 171 213 244 122 1619- 14 1397- 2Q9 266 I22I 35 1631 1436 1562 1905 1925 2197 I418 1543 1492 1282 '357 1580- 2193 1562 30 There is every year a number of slight earthquakes in San Jose, generally undulating from west to west-'northwest, and occurring mostly between eleven p. m, and six a. m. The greatest number are observed at the beginning of the rainy season. The rainy season on the Caribbean slope of the country does not correspond to that of the Pacific. In fact there are no continuously dry months, and on the northern declivities of 'the volcanoes of Turialba, Irazu, Barba and Poas, it rains more or less during the entire year; also near Lake Nica- ragua it rains nearly continuously, and the mountains of the Guatuso country and the surroundings of the volcano of Orosi are seldom without clouds. At times there are cloud- bursts of tremendous power, broadening rivers for miles. Port Limon is said to have an annual rainfall of eighty-nine inches, but it is greatly exceeded by that of Colon, which averages 120 inches. The mean rainfall at Greytown for 1890, 1891, 1892, was 267 inches yearly. The late United States Commission estimated the average at Lake Nicaragua at eighty inches, and in the basin of the San Juan River at 150 inches. The climate of Talamanca is for the same reason very unhealthy in the proximity of the coast, and also in the lower course of the rivers a similarly deadly climate prevails. In normal years there are two dry and two wet seasons. The rains commence regularly in May or June and last until the end of July. The months of August and September are more •or less dry. In October there are some heavy showers, and extensive rains begin which characterize the months of No- vember, December and January. The driest months are February, March and April. The high region is extremely humid, giving rise to fogs and rains. The mosses which almost completely envelop the stems of the trees are con- stantly dropping water, and the rivers in this section are al- most impassable. The climate of the great valley of the Rio Grande de Ter- raba is similar to that described for the terrace lands. Both regions have distinctly marked characters. Rains begin in April, grow heavier towards September, and cease about the 31 end of November. During the rest of the year dry weather prevails, although sometimes heavy showers relieve this arid condition. In the lower zone pronounced radiation causes a heavy dew and extensive fogs, and both are characteristic of this section. The excessive heat felt on the lowlands diminishes grad- ually with the rising of the land towards the high moun- tains, but at times a height of 1500 feet will be found cooler than one of 3000 feet. In the Santa Clara district, for instance, it is cooler at 500 feet elevation than it is in the Reventazon valley at 1500 feet. In general, the torrid lands of the coun- try, ranging from the sea to 1 50 feet above it, and, if not clear and well-drained, even up to 400 and 500 feet, abound in malarial fevers; but as high ground, having an elevation of from 1500 to 3000 feet is reached, the fevers are of light type and not dangerous, while from 3000 to 5000 feet the diseases are those of the temperate zone, and are due less to local conditions of soil and climate than to personal neglect. There were no epidemic diseases in 1897. In October 30, 1894, sixteen medical districts were established by law, and so were a number of hospitals and quarantine stations in the ports of the Republic. 111. CHARACTER OF VEGETATION. This chapter I begin with a phyto-geographical classifica- tion given by Dr. Carl Hoffman and published in Bonplandia in 1858. He distinguishes: First. — Coast regions (sea shores and salt swamps). Second. — Regions of tropical forests and savannas, stretching from the coast regions to a height of 900 meters. Third. — Regions of high plains, lying between 900 to 1500 meters- of elevation. Fourth. — Region of upper tropical forests, situated between 1500 to 2150 meters of altitude. ' Fifth. — Region of oaks, from 2150 to 2750 meters in height. Sixth; — Region of chaparrales, from 2750 to 3050 meters up. Seventh. — Region of subalpine or subandine flora, from 3050- meters up to the tops of the high mountains. Dr. Polakowsky enumerates cultivated lands, virgin for- ests, open forests and savannas. Another division is given by Dr. Moritz Wagner. He mentions a literal zone, a tropical forest zone and a zone of savannas. He also distinguishes on the volcano of Chiriqui the fol- lowing successive regions: First. — Regions of evergreen forest trees and palms, bananas, Araceae, etc. , to a height of 550 meters, with an average tem- perature of 26° to 24° C. Second. — Region of tree ferns and mountain orchids, from 550 to 1220 meters, with an average temperature of 23° to 18° C. Third, — Region of Rosaceae, Senecionodeae, Gramineae and Agave americana, from 1220 to 1585 meters. Fourth. — Region of Cupuliferae and Betulaceae, mostly oaks and. alders, from 1585 to 3050 meters. Fifth. — Higher region above 3050 meters. (32) 33 Dr. Wagner calls special attention to a noted uniformity of the flora on the coasts of both oceans, and Professor Pit- tier affirms that the vegetation between Colon and Greytown on one side, and between Panama and San Juan del Sur on the other side, is remarkably uniform. The litoral zone has a width of about four maritime miles. The predominating flora is composed of Rhizophora mangle, Hippomane man- cinella, Cocos micifcra, Chrysobalanus icaco, Crescentia ciijete, Aracia spadicigera, Cccsalpinia bonducella and other Legiwrinosce; Acrostichum aurciim, Ipomcea pescaprcB, Avi- cennia nitida, Uniola Pittierii and also Euphorbiacece, etc. The zone of tropical forests shows, especially on the Atlantic side behind the coast region, a strip of from twenty to twenty-two miles in width, with lofty trees of Rtibiacece, MyrtacecB, MelastomacecB, Stercidiaccce, EupkorbiacecB, Meliacece, Urticace^, Moracece, Anacardiaceco, Sapindacece[ Leguminosce and Palnice. It is relatively free from ligneous undergrowth, having more monocotyledonous plants, such' as Cycadecp, ScitaminecE, Cannaccce, MarantacecB, Cyperacess, Filiccs and Bromeliacece, underneath. The latter orders figure', also with Orchidece and Loranthacece among the epiphytes and parasites which cover the trees. Among the most char- acteristic plants of this region we name the coyol palm (Acrocomia), corozo (Attalea cohune), biscoyol (Bactris hor- rida), p-almiche (Elms melanococca) and Raphia nicaragitensis which forms almost forests along the River San Juan; further, Tecoma pentaphylla, Bombax ceiba, Eriodendron, Spondias, Croton gossypifolius, Hymencea courbaril, rubber trees (Castilloa costaricencis and C. elastica), GeoiTrcEa superba, Simaba cedron, species of Enterolobium, Ccesal pinia, Liquidam- bar, Copaifera, Cedrela, Szvietenia, Sapota, Pithecolobiimi, Palicourea, Cinchona, Piper, Ficus, Cecropia; still further, smilax, vanilla, etc.. Many of these characteristic plants are largely social, such as the piper, ferns, palms and others. Moritz Wagner states that all along the southern limits of Costa Rica a likeness of climatic and geological condi- tions gives to the vegetation a nearly uniform character, while further northward a notable contrast is observed be- tween the Atlantic and Pacific slopes of the mountain groups 34 and on the interior terrace lands. The Atlantic slope, with more constant humidity of air, is characterized by vast, dense, everg-reen, virgin forests, while the Pacific lands, with a rela- tively dry climate and rainless summer, present more open forests and savannas, with many deciduous trees and shrubs. However, deep river valleys and some slopes near the water- shed have dense, evergreen forests, and their vegetation does not differ much from that of the Atlantic slope. The flora of the high terrace lands has been so altered by thorough cul- tivation as to have almost lost its original character. The Atlantic virgin forests, as well as those m the region of the San Juan River and of Lake Nicaragua, which com- prise two-thirds of Costa Rican territory, show such a dense vegetation that its interior can be penetrated almo-st only by way of the rivers, and its general character and its enor- mous extension be studied only from high mountains. Owing to the very mountainous character of the country, over half of its area lies between 900 and 2100 meters above the sea, and is almost wholly covered with virgin forest. This forest here and there ascends still higher, reaching the upper limit of the oak region about 2700 meters above the sea. Dr. Polakowsky, in an interesting publication entitled "Flora of Costa Rica," calls the forest region of the San Juan River, in view of its luxuriant character, "The Central American Hylsea," and this name Professor Pittier applies also to the entire Atlantic region, attributing to it a distinctly South American character. The zone of the open forests and savannas, which has park-like features, is rarely found away from the Pacific side, where it forms a belt from sixteen to eighteen miles in width, interspersed with more densely forested river valleys, islands of higher and thicker virgin forests, isolated trees or groups of trees, sometimes also with catmgas and meadows flecked with shrubs and matorrales. The savannas and open forests spread to a considerable extent over Guanacaste, where they are a continuation of those of Rivas in Nicaragua; also over the plains of Terraba, especially in the region of Buenos Aires and Terraba; and over the coast-lands of Golfo Dulce. There are some 35 small similar tracts near Alajuela, Turialba, Santa Clara and at some other points, as well as catingas and paramos in the high mountain ridges of the south. The paramos are found on poor soil and have a vegetation more herbaceous than ligneous, which, when moist, takes on the character of turf. The trees of the savannas are generally of little height, ■excepting the Enterolobium cyclocarpum (the guanacaste), the pochote and ceib'a. The grass lands are almost wholly Composed of GraminecB and Cyperacecs, especially in the savannas of Guanacaste. The most characteristic plants are Digitaria marginata and Paspalum notatum, besides species of Setaria, Panicum, Eragrostis, Andropogon, I sole pis, Cyperus, Rhynchospora and Scleria, as well as of ferns (Pteris aquilina) and Schiscea occidentalis. Other abundant plants in the open forests and savannas are Composite^ (Zemenia, Pedis, Spilanthes) ; RubiacecB (Spermacoce) ; Polygalacece; Iridacece; Moracece (Madura, Ficus) ; Mclastomacece (Miconia, Clidemia, Conostegia, Lcan- dra) ; Cyperacccc; Convolvidace<2; EuphorhiacecB ; Bombacacecs; Sauvagcsia. Further, Myrtacece (Psidium, Alibertia edidis) ; Ciiratella americana (chamico); Roupala (danto hedliondo); Byrsonima crassifolia (nance); Miconia argentea DC. (santa maria); guacimo macho (Luhea), guacimo de ternero (Guazuma idmifolia); burio (Bombax apeiba) ; iiambar (Cocobola) ; Ddvilla lucida; Duranta Phimieri; Proteacecs; and Acacia scleroxyla Lonchocarpus atropurpureus, Dalbergia and many other Lcguminosce, especially Mimosa pudica, which gives large tracts in many places a special character, .and still more so as, being often very abundant and the plants tangled together, a general movement all around is caused when one is touched. Among the epiphytes and parasites may be mentioned small ferns, Peperomia, Epidendrnm, Loranthiis, Aroide<2, Tillandsia and other Bromeliacece, mosses, Hchens, etc. Professor Pittier attributes to this flora of the Pacific slope a more northern origin. During the dry season the vegetation of the savannas almost disappears, the greater part of the trees and bushes shed their leaves and herbs become dry and brittle. Only 36 along the rivers is some freshness observable. Toward the- border of Nicaragua caoti appear, mostly species of Cereus, Opuntia, Phypsalis and Mammilaria. Professor Pittier also mentions an oak forest of Querciis citrifolia between Liberia, and the Rio de los Ahogados, at a height of about one hun- dred meters above the sea. The peninsula of Nicoya is noted for a large lumber industry among its different cedars (Cedra- duke, C. amargo, C. real, etc.), mora and other trees. Towards the upper limits of the Atlantic tropical forests, below the oak region, Chamcedorea, Geonoma, Bactris, Euterpe longe- petiolata and other palms of the same groups, as well as Gulielma utilis (the pijivalle palm) and Carludovica microphylla are seen in great abundance, mixed with tree ferns like Alsophylla pruinata, Hemitelia horrida, Hemitelia grandifolia, etc. Higher up appears the region of oaks, prin- cipally Quercus retusa, Quercus granulata, Quercus citrifolia and Querciis costaricensis, with Buddleia alpina, Ruhus, Lu- pinus, etc. Here is also the region of the common potato This oak region slopes gradually down from east to west. The vegetation on the summits of the high mountains of Costa- Rica is of a marked subalpine character, having a great num- ber of northern genera, as Vacciniiim, Pernettya, AlchcmiUa, Cardamine, Calceolaria, Spircea, etc. Certain types of vegetation are often more due to the- sterile nature of the soil than to elevation. Although a northern flora is frequent on the high ter- races of San Jose and Cartago, that character is not general because of the introduction of cultivated tropical and other- plants peculiar to Costa Rica. On the southern bigh mountains two species of Podo- carpus (P. taxi-folia and P. salici folia), one of Alnus (Alnus Mirbelii Spach.) and one of Weinmannia occur quite generally among the oak forests. Other distinct floral groups are rep- resented by the vegetation along roads and fences, on potreros, in cultivated regions and along river shores. The latter especially are rich in herbaceous plants, grasses, bushes and woods of Bignoniacece, Myrtacece, Euphorbiacece, Mimoserc, etc. The potreros are characterized by Tagetes, Sida, Hyptis,. 37 Solanum, Salvia, Mimosa pudica and M. sensitiva, etc. Along fences there grow nearly everywhere Erythrina coral- lodendron, Yucca aloifolia, Bromelia pinguin. Agave ameri- ■cana, Cereus, Spondias, Bursera, Cestrum, etc. Prominent characteristic plants, besides the already men- tioned species and g-enera, are the Piperacecs and Melas- ■tomacece; further, species of Iriartea, Bactris and Raphia of the palm order, and Alsophylla, Schiscea occidentalis and Pteris aquilina 'of the ferns; still further Castilloa costaricana, Gunnera insignis, Ochroma lagopus, Gliciridia, Inga edulis, Chusquea maurofernandesiana, Erythrina corallodendron, Drymis Winterii Forst., Acacia Farnesiana, etc. The passage from one flora to another is one of insensi- ble gradations. Cultivated lands, as already stated, do not show any longer the original vegetation. The plants which are now mostly cultivaited are: Coffea arabica (cofifee), Saccharum ofUcinarum (sugar cane), Zea mays (corn), Musa paradisiaca and Musa sapienfium (bananas), Phaseolus (beans), Oryza sativa (rice), Solanum tuberosum (potato), Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco). Batatas dulcis (sweet potato), Ly coper sicum esculentum and Lyco- pcrsicum Humboldtii (tomiatoes). Capsicum annuum (chile). Ananas sativa (pine-apple), Carica papaya (papaya), Persea gratissima (aguacate), Anona cherimolia (cherimoya), Mani- hot aipi and Manihot utilissima (yucca or mandioca), In- ■digofera anil (indigo), Gossypium barbadense (cotton), Cichorimn Intyous (chicory), Asparagus officinalis (aspar- agus), Psidium guava (guayaba), Mammea americana (maniey), Theobroma cacao (oacao), etc. Before giving the lists of the woods, tannings, dyeings, gums, balsams, resins, rubber, waxes, textile and medicinal plants, oils and oil seeds, etc., of Costa Rica, it is advantageous to research to name those collectors and scientists who, hav- ing traveled through' Costa Rica or established themselves there, have especially contributed to the knowledge of the -natural resources of the country. They are Professor H. Pit- tier, A. S. Oersted, Dr. C. Hofifmann, Dr. H. Polakowsky, Dr. M. Wagner, Captain J. Donnel Smith, C. Warszewicz, Neudland, A. Tonduz, P. Biolley, Dr. A. von Frantzius, Dr. 38 Franc Kuntze, Professor W. M. Gabb, Jose C. Zeledon, Anastasio Alfaro, Juan J. Cooper, and Bish'op Bernardo Augusto Thiel, D. D. Native Names of the Woods of Costa Rica. Acacia, Aceituno, Aceituno bianco, Aguacate bianco, Aguacatillo, Aguilla, Algarroba, Almendro, Alvahaquilla, Amapola, Amarillo, Anona Colorado, Anonilla, Anono, Arco, Arbol Colorado, Arbol de la leche, Aromo, Arrayan, Asca, Avellano, Aya, Aya bianco, Aya Colorado, . Azaharillo, Azulillo. Balsa, Balsamito, Balsamo, Balsamo negro, B&rillo, Bateo, Berenjena, Brasil moral, Brasil negro, Brazil, Brazil de clavo, Brazil nacar, Burio, Burillo. Cachimbo, Cacique, Cacique amarillo. Cacique pardo, Caimito, Camibar, Campana, Campanilla, Canafistola, Canasto, Canela or Canelon, Canjura, Cantarillo, Caobana, Copalillo, Capulin, Caragua, Carao macho, Carao silvestre, Carboncillo, Carbon fino, Carne, Caroto, Cas, Cascarillo, Casco-cafe, Castaiio, Castor cillo, Cedro amargo, Cedro bianco, Cedro caoba leon, Cedro cirrus, Cedro claro, Cedro ctibano, Cedro dulce, Cedro dulce claro, Cedro dulce-ondulado, Cedro jaspeado, Cedro macho, Cedron, Cedro naranjena, Cedro ondulado, Cedro pochote, Ceiba, Cerillo, Cerro, Chancho, Chaparro, Cherre, Chaperno, Chaperno amarillo, Chaperno bianco, Chaperno veteado, Chavecho, Chicha, Chilamate, Chile, Chilillo, Chirraca, Cirri, Clavellina, Cobola, Cocobola, Cocobola nambar, Cocora, Colloso, Comenegro de monte, Conchudo, Copal, Copalchi, Copalite verde, Copulchin, Copiilchin bianco, Coquito, Corazon, Corazon de leon, Cordoncillo, Carnezuelo, Corteza, Corteza amarilla, Corteza blanca, Corteza de venado,, Corteza negra, Cristal, Cristobal Cuajiniquil, Cuascua, Cucaracho, Culebra, Cura, Curacha. Damas, Dantisco, Dan to, Danto amarillo, Danto barcino, Danto bianco, Danto hedliondo. Encino roble, Escoba, Escobillo, Escobo, Esparei, Espavel, Espino bianco. Flor blanca, Flor de aroma, Frijolillo, Fruta de pava,. 39 Fubus, Furru, Fustete. Gavilaii Colorado, Gavilan, Gavilancillo, Gallinazo, Genizaro, Golondrino, Guachazo negro, Guachipilin, Guachipilin claro. Guachipilin oscuro, Guachi raton, Guacimo, Guacimo amarillo, Guacimo bianco, Guacimo macho, Guacimo monillo, Guacimo ternero, Guanacaste, Guapinol, Guapinol tier no, Guatil or Jagua, Guavo, Guavo silvestre, Guayabillo, Guayabito, Guayacan, Guayacan amarillo, Guayacan de costa, Guayacan oscuro, Guayavo, Giiitite. Habilla, Haya, Higuera, Hormigo, Huesillo, Hule. Ira, Ira amarillo, Ira bianco, Ira bofo, Ira Colorado, Ira mangle, Ira, rosa. Jaboncillo, Jamaico, Jaul, Jicaro, Jiiiocuave, Jobo, Jorobado, Juaquiniquil. Lagartillo, Lagarto, Lagarto amarillo, Lagarto negro, Landal, Lentisco, Lentisco oscuro, Laurel barcino. Laurel claro. Laurel espino. Laurel negro, Laurel oscuro. Laurel pardo, Laurel veteado, Llema de huevo, Lliguatil, Lloro, Lloron, Lloron puire, Lope, Lorito. Madera de hierro, Madera negra, Maderon, Madrono blanca, Madroiio corteza, Madroiio de comer, Makenge, Malacaliuite, Malacalmite blanca, Mangle, Mangle morigiiite, Manglero, Mango, Mano, Manzana rosa, Manzanillo, Maranon, Maria, Mario, Mastate, Mastatillo, Mayo, Melon, Molenillo, Mora decipina, Moral bianco. Moral leonado. Moral listado, Moral negro, Morante, Mora punteado. Morale, Mora tinta, Muiieco, Muiieco macho, Murta. Nambar negro, Nance, Nance tricore, Nancite, Nancite Colorado, Naranjillo, Naranjito, Nispero amarillo, Nispero Colorado, Nispero espino, Nispero negro. Ocotillo, Ojoche, Olmo. Pacaya, Pacaya baton, Palanco amarillo, Palanco nudoso, Palma, Palma de mano, Palma real, Palmiche, Palo azul, Palo de sal, Palo frio, Palo jabon, Papaturro bianco, Papaturro negro, Papayo almendro, Papelillo, Paraiso, Pastora, Pava, Pava macho, Pavilla veteado. Peine de mico, Pejivalle, Piedrilla, Pipa or Mora bianco Plomillo, Pocara, Pochote, Poro cerrado, Poroporo, Pure Quajiniquil, Quiebracha Colorado, Quiebra hacha, Quina, Quita calzon, Quitirri, Quizarra amarillo, Quizarra baboso, Quizarra bofo, Quizarracillo, Quizarra clara, 40 Quizarra barcii Quizarra ira, Quizarra negro, Quizarra quina, Quizarra zopilote. Ramal, Raspaguacal, Raton, Raton bianco, Ratoncillo, Resino, Roble, Roble angular, Roble de la laguna, Roble de sabana, Roble encino, Ronron, Ronron veteado. Sabino, Sandalo, oangre de toro, Sangre de drago, San Juan, San Juan dulce, San Juanillo, Sierrillo, Siete cueros, Siete cueros machos, Simaruba, Sirri, Siva, Sota caballo. Tamarindo, Targua, Ticuarri, Tirra, Torco, Tres huevos, Tuiquisirrie. Uiscoyol or Viscoyol, Uruca or Teregre. Vara blanca, Viscoyol (palm). Yabo, Yabo bianco, Yas, Yocote iguana, Yos. Zapote mico, Zapotillo, Zapotillo danto, Zenicero, Zenicero-ocre, Zorillo. Native Names of the Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica. Acedera, Agra, Ajo, Alcornoque, Albahaca, Alcotan, Algabia, Algabia or Abelmoscus, Almendro (Papayo Col- orado), Almendrillo aromatico, Alucema, Amapola, Anisillo, Anona, Anonillo, Apasote, Apasote de mexico, Artemisa. Balsamito, Balsamo copal, iBalsamo negro, JBarbasco, Barbas ilote (Cabello de maiz), Borraja. Cacao gigante, Camibar, Campanula blanca, Canchalagua, Canchillo, Candelillo, Canela,, Cana gigantea, Caiia agria, Cana fistula, Capitana, Capitaneja, Carao, Cardo santo amarillo, Cardo santo bianco, Chamomila, Cola de alacran, Contrayerba, Copal, Copalcbi, Copalchi guisarra, Copey, Cordoncillo, Cornezuelo, Croton, Cucanillo, Culantrillo. Doradilla. Eneldo, Escoba blanca, Escorzonera, Esparto. Fierrito, Frutas de cornezuela. Guacamayo, Guachara, Guacimo negro, Guaco, Guaco redondo (vine), Guas molenillo, Guanacaste, Guapinol, Guayacan amarillo, Guarumo, Guizaro. Higuerilla, Hanojo, Hojasen, Hombre grande. Inga carao. Ipecacuanha. Jabillo, Jabon vegetal, Jinote terebinto, Jobo amarillo, Jiquaitil, Juanilama. Laurel real, Lechuguilla or Carraja, Lengua de ciervo, Lengua de vaca, Liquidambar, Ivlanten, Lombricero. Majaguilla, Malva, Manzanilla, Marango, 41 Maranon, Matasano, Mejorana, Meloncillo, Michoacan, Mozote de caballo. Naranja, Naranja agria, Nuez moscada. Ojoche macho, Ojoche rojo, Oregomo, Orosus, Ortiga. Palo leche, Paraiso, Petrona, Peine de mico, Pichichio solano, Pie de venado, Platanillo, Pochoche macho, Polipodio. ■Quina, Quina Colorado, Quassia hombre grande. Raiz de toro, Reina de la noche, Romero, Ruda, Ruibarbo. Sacaguacal, Sacate limon, Sagu, Salvia, Samo, Sangre de drago Colo- rado, Sangre de toro, Sarsaparilla, Sanco, Sensitiva, Simaba cedron, Simaruba, Suelda con suelda. Tamarindo, Tapate, Tarsana. Tiguilote, Tuete. Una de gato. Valeriana, Vainilla, Velvet, Venado, Verbena, Vetiver, Viborana. Verba buena, Verba culebra, Verba mora. Verba te, Verba tora. Zacate de limon Zacate de olor, Zarza, Zarzon, Zenizero, Zarzaparilla, Zorrillo. Native Names of Costa Rican Tanning and Dyeing Plants. Commercia Name. Part. Use. Achiote Seed . . . Dyeing. Aguacate Seed . . . Tanning. Anil Extract . . Dyeing. Brazil Wood. . . " Catazin Wood. . . << Encino bianco . . . Bark . . . Tanning. Encino Colorado . . Bark . . . . Gavilan Bark . . . . 11 Guanacaste .... Bark . . . . 11 Guanacaste .... Fruit . . . . Dyeing and tanning. Mangle Bark . . . . t* t< (( Mora Wood. . . . Dyeing. Nacascolo Nancite Fruit . . . . Bark . . . . Dyeing and tanning. Ojo de venado . . . Seed . . . . Dyeing. Ratoncillo .... Bark . . . . Tanning. Sacatinta Plant . . . . Dyeing. Sangre de drago . . Sap Yuquilla Root . . . . 42 Native Names cf Costa Rican Gums, Resins, Rubber, Etc. Acacia Arrayan Aroma Balsanio negro . . Barillo Copal, fossil amber Copal Camibar . . . Carana Copaiba . ... Cedro Cera vegetal '. . , Cerillo . . Chilamate .... Chirraca . . Espino bianco , . GuanacHSte . . . Guayacan . . . Character. Name. Character. Gum. Gallinazo , . . . . Gum. Wax. Guapinol Resin. Glim. Hule .... Rubber. Balsam. Incienso Resin. Resin. Jinote . Jocote Jobo . . Gum-resin. Gum. Balsam. Jenizaro Gum-resin. Kesin. Mangle . Gum. Balsam. Mastate Milk. Gum. Nispero Chewing gum. Wax. Ojoche Colorado Ojoche macho . Milk. Milk. Pochote .... Gum. Balsam. Ouiebracha . . Gum. Sangre de drago Sap. Tuno macho . . Chewing gum. Resin. Palo de vaca Milk. Native Names of Costa Rican Oilseeds. Almendro, Coco, Corozo, Algodon, Colza, Cacahuete, Ajonjoli, Coyol, Higuerilla, Biscoyol, Coquito, lyino. Native Names of Costa Rican Textile Plants. Name. Product. Name. Product. Algodon Cotton. Limon montes . . . Ba.st Balsa Silk-cotton. Luffa Fruit. Banana Leaves. Majagua Bast. Barrigona Silk-cotton and bast. Maguey Leaves. Burio East. Mastate Bast. Cabuya Leaves Palma Leaves. Ceiba Silk-cotton. Peine de niico . . . Bast. Corteza blanca ..... Bast. Pie de vc nado . . . Bast. Coco Fruit fibre. Pina Leaves. Cucanilla Bast. Pifiuela Leaves. Guarunio Bast. Pochote Bast and silk- cotton. Itavo Leaves. Pita Leaves. Juco Bast. Leaves. Ramio Soncollo Bast. Junco Bast. IV. FAUNA. In regard to the fauna, there are in Costa Rica about one hundred and twenty-one species of mammalia, of which tep are domesticated and four of Mtis introduced, leaving 107 as indigenous to Costa Rica. There are only a few species peculiar to Costa Rica, and also but a small number peculiar to Central America, among- which are the Tapinis dozui alston and three species of monkeys. About one-fifth of the total number also belong to South America and one-seventh to North America. The rest are found as well in North as in South America. With re- spect to the avifauna, there are 725 known species. This great variety of the avifauna is due to especial climatic con- ditions, to the very rich flora, to the geographical position be- tween two oceans and to the vicinity of so many islands of the Caribbean Sea. It is composed of 67 Neoarctic species, which are also found in the north of Mexico; of 247 Neotropical or South American species, of 260 autocthonous or exclusively Central American species, and 128 newly described species which live as well in the northern as in the southern continent. The rest, comprising 23 species, have a doubtful O'rigin. The best sing- ing birds are the Gilguero, Yigiierro, Toledo, Mozotillo, Cacique, Mongita, Comemaiz, Setillero and x'Vguillo. There are over 130 species of Reptilia and Batrachia in Costa Rica. Those known and described are 36 Batrachia, 28 Lacertilia, 60 Ophidia and 6 Testudinata. Poisonous snakes are the Toboba, Bocaraca, Oropel, Terciopelo and Cascabel. (43) 44 Costa Rica is also very rich in Fishes. Those in the Pacific are almost entirely different from those of the Atlantic Oceain. Also its tributary waters have 'more varied species than tho'se of the Atlantic slope. In correspondence with the varied topographical, climat- ologi'cal, and hotanical conditions of Costa Rica is also the invertebrate fauna. And Here the National Museum, under Mr. Anastasio Alfaro, and the "Instituto fisico geografico N'acional," under Professor H. Pittier, are doing equally ex- cellent work in bringing them to our knowledge, as they have done like service in other branches of Natural History. The most interesting spe'cies of the fauna in Costa Rica among the mammalia are the monkeys (Mycetcs palliatus, Ateles geoffroyi, and Cehus hypoleucus), the tigre (Fells onca), marrigordo (Felis pardalis), puma (Felis concolor), the coyote (Canis latrans), tigrillo (Urocyon cinereo), pisote (Nasua narica), martilla (Cercoleptes caudivolvulus), coma- dreja (Mtistela brasiliensis) , chulomuco or tolumuco (Galictis barhara), Zorro iiediondo (Conepatus mapurito), nutria or perro de agua (Lutra felina), manati or vaca marina (TricJic- ehus australis), danta (Elasmognathus bairdii and E. Dowi), saiimo (Dicotyles tajacu) cari bianco (Dicotylcs labiatiis), venado (Dorcelophus clavatus), calbro de monte (Masama icmama), ardillas (Sciurus hypopyrrhus, Sc. (estuans hoif- manni, Sc. Alfari), puerco espino (Synetheres mcxicamis), guatusa (Dasyprocta isthmica, D. punctata), tepeizcuintle (Coelogenys paca), conejo (Lepus graysoni, L. gabbi), perico ligero (Bradypus castaneiceps), perezoso (Choloepus hoff- manni), armado de zopilote (Dasypus gymnurus), arma- dillo (Tatusia novemcincta) , oso hormiguero (Myrmecophaga jubata), oso colmeno or tejon (Myrmecophaga tctradactyla) , serafin de platanar (Cyclothorus didactyhis), zorro pelon (Didelphis marsupialis aurita), zorro isi (Marnwsa cincrca) and zorrito de platanar (Marmosa murina). Among the birds the following may be mentioned, fol- lowing the enumeration of Jose C. Zeledon: The sensontle (Mimus gilous), the jilguero (Mclanops), the yigiierro (Tur- dus grayi), the picudos (Ccsreba cyanea and C. lucida), the rualdo (Chlorophonia callophrys), the caciquita (Euphonia 45 clegantissima), the monjita fina (Euphonia affinis), and other species of Euphonia; further pipra mentahs, la viuda (Tan- agra cana), el cardenal (Pyranga leucoptera and P. rubra), cyanospiza, sps., alcalde mayor (Rhamphoca^hts) the oropen- dula (Ocyalus waglieri and 0. montezumce), the choltote or trupial (Icterus pectoralis and /. giraudi), the rajon (Cotinga- ainabilis), colibris or gorriones (Trochilidce), the quetzal (Pharomacrus costariccnsis), resplandor (Muscivora mexi- cana), the curre {Ramphastus carinatus), the quioro (R. tocard), the curre verde (Aulacorhamphus ccEndeigidaris), carpintero (Campephilus guatemalensis and Centurus hoff- manni), the lapas rojas and lapas verdes (Ara militaris and Chryosotis diademata, C. giiatemalcs and C. auripalliata) , the- periquitos (Conurus petsii and Brotogerys tovi) . Further mention is made of the aguila (Trascetus harp- yia), carnal eon (Falco sparverius), carg^a-hueso (Polyborus cherhuay), the rey de z'opilote (Gy'parchus papa), the zopilote- (Catharista atrata) and the zonchiche (Cathartes aiira). To these may be added the tortolita (Columhigallina passerina), the pa von (Crax glohicera), the pava (Penelope cristata), pava negra (Chamcepetes unicolor), the oo-dorniz (Ortyx kylaudi) and chirraxua (Denitortyx Icucophrys) ; still further, the mar- tin peha (Ardca virescens) and other garza (Tigrisoma cabanisi, Nycticorax americanus, Gallina aquatica, Eurypyga major), zarzetas (Numenius and Totanus) ; also the pijijes (Totanus Havipcs and Charadrius vociferns), the patillo (Co- lymbiis dominicus),' the piche (Dendrocigna autumnalis), peli- canos and alcatraz (Pelecanus), etc. We have further to mention the great turtles from both oceans, the (Nacar de perlas) or pearl s'hells from Golfos. Dulce and Nicoya, the oysters from Puntarenas, the purple- snail (Murex), also sponges, corals, etc V. THE ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS. Colonel George Earl Church says in regard to the In- dians: "There are many indications that Costa Rica was once the debatable ground between the powerful Mexican invad'^r and the warlike Caribs of northern South America." "The Caribs were a tall, muscular, copper colored race who, when the New World was discovered, occupied the coast from the mouth of the River Orinoco to that of the River Amazon, and stretched inland over all the half-drowned districts and far up the valley of the Orinoco. Their nomadic spirit led them to the conquest of many of the Windward Islands, and, I am disposed to believe, urged them to invade all the coimtries bordering the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico having estuaries and rivers which oould be pene- trated by their war canoes. These carried from twenty-five to one hundred men each and were of sufficient size to ni'ake long voyages." Along all the Caribbean coast districts of Yucatan, Hon- duras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Chiriqui, and throughout the province of Panama, the Carib has left traces of his pres- ence. It is evident that an ofifshoot of the highland Mexican race pressed south and east from Chiapas, Mexico, into and through the long strip of the Pacific coast occupied by the Chorotegas or Mangues, followed the Pacifiic slope of the Cordilleras and the narrow space between Lake Nicaragua and the O'cean, penetrated into northwestern Costa Rica, settled and helped the Mangues to develop a considerable -civilization in the district of Guanacaste and Nicoya, and in (46) 47 part subdued all the volcanic region lying north and west of the valley of the River Reventazon. It is notable that inhabitants of volcanic countries crowd around the slopes of its volcanoes, due probably to the fertil- izing cjuality of the ejected ash. The Mexicans have left abundant traces of their lan- guage in Costa Rica, especially throughout its northern half. Many of their words are now in common use and incor- porated into the Spanish spoken there. Xotably such words occur in the names of plants, animals and geographical local- ities. In 1569 the Adelantado Perafan de Rivera made an elaborate detailed enumeration of the Indians and found their total number to be 25,000. Mr. M. de Peralta says the Nahuas (Aztecs) and Mangues (Choro'teg-as), Giietares, Viceitas, Terrabas, Chan- guenes, Guaymies, Quepos, Cotos and Borucas were the prin- cipal people who occupied the territory of Costa Rica at the time of the conquest. The Nahuas came from the north, and if the Mangues did not go from Chiapas, it is necessary to infer that from the Gulf ol Nicoya and the shores of the lakes of Nicaragua and Managua they extended to the south of Mexico, where, up to a few years ago, their language was spoken at Acala. The Mangues, or Chorotegas, at the time of the Mexican invasion, occupied the peninsula of Nicoya and all the lands surrounding the gulf of that name. They were then, no doubt, the most powerful and advanced people in Costa Rica, and carried some of their arts, such as pottery, sculpture, weaving, and tilling the ground, to greater perfection than any people occupying the region between their territory and that of the Chiboas on the table-land of Colombia. In their graves are found gold ornaments and specimens of the ceramic art showing taste in design superior to any that the present civ- ilized Costa Rican Indian can manufacture. These graves also contain beautiful specimens of obsidian, gre'ensto'ne and even finely wrought jade tools and jade ornaments, knives, axes, arrowheads, amulets, rings and a multitude of stone idols, seats, etc. The Mangues appear to have manufactured gold extensively into jewelry. 48 The Giietares made their homes on the slopes of the Turialba, Irazii and Barba to the southeast of the Mexicans and Chorotegas, and, in a less degree, they shared in the skill and advancement of the latter, but their pottery was inferior m artistic method and quality of material and workmanship, judging from collections in the National Museum of Costa Rica. Peralta says, "The Nahuas and Mangues of the regions of Nicoya have completely disappeared, although the first still survive in Mexico, and the latter are represented here and there bv a descendant in Masava (Nicarag-ua) and in Acala (Chiapas)." The Nahuas (Aztecs) left notable monuments of their material civilization and of their scientifi'C attainments, and a language that served as the instrument of a cultivated and thoughtful race. During the colonial period the Spaniards, in several ef- forts to explore the River Frio, were driven back by the Guatuso Indians, who still occupy the greater part of its valley and the slopes of the volcanic mountains. It was not until 1856 that a small expedition penetrated across the country to the Rio Frio from the mouth of the River Arenal, a brancJi of the San Carlos. They reported fertile, hilly slopes in its upper reaches, and beautiful plains for most of the dis- tance traversed to its mouth. The rubber collectors of Nicaragua for many years have ascended the Rio Frio and otJier rivers in canoes and plun- dered the settlements, plantaitions and property of the Indians,- forcing them to retire further up the river. The Guatusos live in palenqiies (stockades), and their houses are similar to- the maloccas among Amazon tribes. Each palenque shelters- several families, who cook their food at separate fires built on the ground. They live principally on plantains, yucca, maize,, sugar cane, cacao, game and fish, the latter being abundant in the Rio Frio. They also cultivate and smoke tobacco. Their weapons are bows, arrows, stone axes, and wooden knives. They drink chicha, made by fermenting- roasted green plantains, and also chicha mascada de mats. As- the bishop of Costa Rica, Dr. Bernardo A. Thiel, a very noted ethnologist and archgeologist, says: 49 "The Guatuso 'country is probably one of the most de- lightful portions of Oosta Rica. Every tropical product can be grown there in abundance, for the lands are immeasurably rich and the climate one of the best in the tropical belt." The last census of the Guatuso Indians is as follows: Palenques. On ike river fojifo: Tojifo Margarita Pedro Joaquin Sahara Culolo Napoleon On the river Cucuracha Juana On the river La Muerte: Congo I,a Muerte On the river Pataste: San Juan Grecia Total Men. Women. Children. • Total. Craves. 36 12 ."9 47 25 24 13 17 54 60 15 II 13 39 loi 8 5 7 20 18 9 8 4 21 23 5 3 16 36 8 ? 4 17 26 10 3 3 16 9 8 3 1 12 5 I I 8 11 4 2 17 — 132 70 64 266 298 Of the Talamanca Indians, Professor H. Pittier distin- guishes two tribes, the Brilio and Cabecar. The first live in the valleys and mountains of Uren and Arari and along the lower course of the Coen River, while the Cabecars dwell in the upper parts of the Coen. Other Indians, probably of the Tiribi tribe, live in the upper part of the Teliri valley. The Talamanca Indians have a higher grade of civiliza- tion than the neighboring Boruca or Brunca and Terraba In- dians. The Bribris bave good traditions and numerous legends of their past. The census o'f the Talamanca Indians is as follows: Male. Female. Total. Married. I,ari 263 172 67 424 269 176 71 393 532 348 138 817 Coen r,-^ Teliri — Ur^n 2 44 Total 926 9C9 1835 50 The Terrabas and Bruiicas or Boruca*indians are located on the Pacific slope of the Talamanca mountains, and especially in the great valley of the Diquis or Rio Grande do Terraba, although there are also a few Indian palenques in the neighborhood of the Chirripo. The Borucas or Bruncas are dolichocephalic. The men are large, the wo^men short and plump. They are more intelligent and active than the Tishbi of Terraba. Professor Pittier counted in the Boruca valley and at Palma, Punta Mala and La Uvita 65 to 75 ranchos scat- tered around, with about 389 inhabitants, while he found 50 to 60 ranchos with about 250 inhabitants in the town of Ter- raba and 25 to 30 ranchos with about 300 inhabitants in the town of Buenos Aires. There are also some Indians near the Golfo Dulce. Taken in all, about 4000 uncivilized Indians are estimated to remain in Costa Rica. VI. POPULATION. The population of Costa Rica is nearly all white and mostly descendants of Spaniards from Galicia. The Indians are not numerous and are completely distinct from the civ- ilized race. The Negroes and mixed breeds live almost ex- clusively on the coastlands. The Costa Ricans are a well formed, robust and healthy people with regular features. The women are gracious, have splendid eyes and abundance of hair, and appear affable in manner. The men are intelligent, industrious, economical, honest and peaceable, as well as polite, truthful and generous. They respect order and property, love to work, and are proud of their wealth and of the independence of their nation. Every Costa Rican owns property of some kind. The better class of women follow in their dress the fashions of Europe; the lower classes have gowns of muslin or calico, and wear petticoats, rebozos and very often panama hats. Some adorn themselves with earrings and other jewelry and some wear shoes. The men dress in European style. The lower class, consisting of hard-working farmers, owners of small cofifee- plantations and ox-carts and oxen for internal traffic, wear coarse cloth coats, drill or cotton trousers, and straw or felt hats. Most of these people go barefooted. The houses of the wealthy have all modern conveniences. Those of the poorer classes are nearly comfortless. They are mostly low and built of adobes, with a roof of tiles, and are arranged in regular streets crossing each other at right angles. The public buildings are spacious and ornamental. (51) 52 Among the principal buildings in San Jose are the New National Theatre, in which about 1,000,000 pesos were invested; the National Palace; the Palace of Justice; the Executive Mansion; the Episcopal Palace; the National Dis- tillery; the Market; the University; the High School for Young Ladies; the High School for Young Men; the Cus- tom House; the Mint, etc. The city possesses charitable institutions, such as hos- pitals, orphan asylums, insane asylums, etc., all under the management of corporations and associations constantly laboring for their improvement. The cemeteries are under the supervision of charitable associations. There are several parks, a Museum, a Public Library and scientific, legal, medical, literary and musical societies, an International Club and a German Club, etc. The streets are mostly macadamized or paved with stones and lighted by electricity. Nearly every city is well-supplied with water conducted through pipes. The food of the poor comprises meat, beans, corn, rice, tortillas and plantains. Saturday is the especial market day of the cities, and from sunrise till noon the miarket-places are crowded with sellers and buyers Here can be found all kind of vegetables amd fruits, potato'es, corn, beans, cofifee, tobacco, sugar, cheese, meat and other food, besides earthenware, hammocks, hats, rebozos, charcoal, etc. The population of Costa Rica in 1897 was calculated to be 288,769, as follows: 90,940 inhabitants in the Province of San Jos^. 67,972 " " " Alajuela. 45,161 " " " Cartago. 37,603 " " " Heredia. 23,769 " " " Guanacaste. 8,925 " " Comarca de Limon. 14,399 " " " Puntarenas. The last census, that of 1892, gave 243,205 as the entire population of the Republic. 53 The following table shows the population of the different 'cantones" in 1892 and 1897: Province of San Jose. Province of Heredia. Canton. 1892. 1897. San Jos4 Escazfi Desamparados .... Puriscal Aserri Mora Tamazu Goicoechea 39,112 6,522 6,471 6,845 6,030 5,814 2.583 3,341: . 46,410 7,616 8,092 7,140 6,902 3,070 3,975 Total 76,718 90,940 Province of Alajuela. Canton. 1892. 1897. Alajuela San Ramon Grecia Atenas San Mateo Naranjo Palmares 19,300 9,928 8,797 6,208 3.353 6.847 2,770 22,967 11,781 10,472 7,373 3,986 8,092 3,296 Total 57,203 67,967 Province of Cartago. Canton. 1892. 1897. Cartago Paraiso I°^^ 3,179 J 1,418 1,236 973 509 867 1,416 276 737 169 486 180 434 484 19,326 2,691 " de San Juan 2,297 1,930 " de Zapote " de San Isidro " de San Vicente " de Alajuelita " de San Francisco 994 1,971 1,664 2,844 562 '* de Uurca " de San Jeronimo " de Mata Redonda 1,412 356 942 " de Hortillo 374 " de San Sebastian " de Las Pavas 795 954 Total 18,869 20,243 39,112 Canton de Escazii. Barrios, etc. Villa de Kscasu (Centro) Barrio de San Antonio . " de San Rafael . " de Santa Ana . . " de Salitral . . . Total Males. 440 741 835 761 475 Females. 521 757 870 699 423 3,270 Total. 961 1,498 1,705 1,460 6.522 55 Canton de Desamparados. Barrios, etc. Males. Villa de Desamparados (Ceiitro) Barrio de San Juan de Dios . . " de San Miguel " de San Cristobal .... " de San Rafael ' ' de Rosario " de Patarra " de Los Frailes . ... " de San Antonio 556 486 479 191 3X4 226 225 186 385 651 512 515 238 39' 2C5 209 215 417 1,207 99S 994 429 775 431 434 401 802 Total 3.118 Canton de Coicoechea. 6,471 Barrios, etc. Villa de Guadalupe (Centro) Barrio de San Francisco " de Ipsis y Purral " de Blancos y San Gabriel . . " del Charco y Ranclio Redondo " de Mata de Platano Total . . . . ; Canton de Puriscal. Barrios, etc. Villa del Puriscal (Centro) . Barrio de San Rafael . . . " de San Pablo . . . . " de Barbacoas . .• • • " de Desaniparaditos " de San Antonio . . " de San Juan . . . . " de Grifo Alto . . . . " de Grifo Bajo . . . . " de Mercedes . . . . " de Candelarita . . , Males. Females. Total. 667 702 1.369 161 182 343 260 298 53^ 277 303 580 146 117 263 103 125 228 1,614 rnl 1,727 _3'34i Males. Females. Total. 597 604 1,201 398 373 771 371 319 6go 245 224 469 234 257- 491 299 299 598 234 211 445 216 212 428 176 183 359 358 316 674 366 353 719 i 3.494 3.351 1 6,845 'H. Total Canton de Aserri. Barrios, etc. Females. Villa de Aserri (Centro) . Barrio de Monte Redondo " de Pirris " de San Ignacio . . " de La Legua . , . " de Sabanillas . . . " de Cangrejal . . ' ' de Tarbaca .... " de Cacao " de La Ceiba . . . " de Ococa " de Poas " de Guaitil .... " de Palmichal . . . Total Total. 587 652 1,239 265 258 523 49 52 101 428 399 827 189 132 321 320 270 590 176 170 346 195 171 366 198 199 397 97 78 175 105 90 195 124 125 249 251 223 474 114 113 227 3.098 2.932 6,030 50 Carlton de Mora. Barrios, etc. Villa de Pacaca (Centro) . . Barrio de I,os Altos y Tienfres " de Jateo " de Brasil " de Guajabo y Jaris . . " de Rodeo " de Morado " de Tabarcia " de Picagres " de Piedra Blanca . . . " de Piedras Negras . . Total Canton de Tarrazii. Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total. Villa de San Marcos (Centro) Barrio de San Pablo " de San Andrfe . . . . " del General " de Santa Maria . . . . Total 437 241 III 149 432 378 230 93 135 377 815 471 204 284 8c9 1.370 2,583 Province of Alajuela. Canton de Alajuela. Barrios, etc. Total. Ciudad de Alajuela (Centro) Barrio de San Pedro .... " de San Rafael. . . . " de San Jose " de Santiago Este . . " " " Oeste . " de Concepcion . . . " de Sabanilla .... " de San Antonio . . . " de Turrlicares . . . " de Desamparados . " de Tuetal " de Garita " de San Isidro .... " de Itiquis " de Sarapiqui . . . . " de Carrillos Total 1,750 797 632 741 528 4S!3 755 734 681 420 436 249 249 330 279 106 196 9.366 2,078 794 733 798 538 507 784 722 720 388 455 261 254 333 290 61 218. 9.934 3,828 1.591 1,365 1,539 1,066 990 1-539' 1,456 1. 401 510 503 663 569 167 414 Canton de Palmares. Barrios, etc. Villa de Palmares (Centro) Barrio de Ksquipulas . . . " de Buenos Aires . . " de Zaragoza . . . , " de La Granja . . . , Total Males. Females. Total. 324 280 271 289 190 417 266 294 741 546 565 562 356 1,354 1,416 2,770 57 Canton de San Ramon. Barrios, etc. Villa de San Ramon (Centro) Barrio de Santiago Norte . . " " " Sur . . . " de Concepcion . . . . " de Piedades Norte . . " " " Sur . . . *' de San Juan " de San Isidro " de San Rafael " de Los Angeles . . . . Total Females. 912 1,077 1,989 261 249 510 621 615 1,236 281 268 549 502 486 988 544 536 r,o8o 729 733 1,462 346 361 707 595 622 1,217 112 78 190 Total. 9,928 Canton de Grecia. Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total. Villa de Grecia (Centro) Barrio de San Isidro " de Sarchi Norte " de Sarchi Sur '• de Sirri " de Puente Piedra " de San Jeronimo " de San Roque " de San Pedro de la Union " de San Jos4 " de Tacares " de Los Angeles " de San Juan " de Guatuso ........ Total 663 388 523. 291 383 293 279 297 190 393 265 215 196 77 716 1.379 405 793 509 1,032 267 558 372 755 334 627 252 531 299 59fi 191 381 366 759 239 504 198 413 186 382 10 87 4,453 8,797 Canton de Atenas. Barrios, etc. Villa de Atenas (Centro) Barrio de Jesus " de Mercedes . . . " de Santiago . . . . " de Concepcion . . " de San Isidro . . . " de Candelaria . . " de San Jos6 . . . . " de Los Angeles . . " de Santa E^ulalia . Males. 581 432 254 364 255 196 265 177 Females. 423 544 446 268 365 232 209 248 190 183 Total. 811 1,125 878 522 729 487 405 513 367 371 Total Canton de San Mateo. 3,ic8 Barrios, etc. Villa San Mateo (Centro) Bairio de Santo Domingo " de Desmonte . . . " de Ramadas . . . " de Mastate .... " de Jesus Maria . . " de Maderal .... Total . 340 384 244 198 293 146 141 1,746 Females. 361 357 217 186 226 125 135 1,607 Total. 701 741 461 384 519 271 276 3,353 58 Canton de Naranjo. Barrios, etc. Males. Villa del Naranjo (Centro) . . . Barrio de San Juanillo " de Zarcero " de San Miguel ' ' de Candelaria ' ' de Buena Vista y Tapesco " de Barranca " de Concepcion " de San Carlos "" de Laguna 777 444 374 392 281 291 280 '59 189 161 546 334 413 283 267 219 246 112 149 1,607 990 708 805 564 558 499 505 301 310 Total 3.399 Province of Cartago. Canton de Cartago. Barrios, etc. Males. 6,847 Ciudad de Cartago (Centro) . . . . Barrio de San Nicolas " de Los Angeles " de San Francisco " de Carmen " de San Rafael ' ' de La Concepcion " de Guadalupe " de Pascon y Pacayas . . . . " de Santa Cruz 5' Capelladas ' ' de Corralillo " de San Juan de Tobosi . . . " de Ouebradilla y Bermejo . " de Tabl6n Pueblo de Cot ' ' de Tobosi Aldea de Cervantes Total 638 ,357 ,192 ,134 891 961 786 667 350 270 201 170 399 395 397 1,853 1,407 1,338 1,203 i,c66 995 920 1,075 , 714 550 312 27S 194 171 418 360 356 13,210 3,491 2,764 2,530 2,337 2.054 1,887 1,811 2,036 I,S00 1. 217 662 548 395 341 817 755 753 25,898 Canton de Paraiso. Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total. Villa del Paraiso (Centro) 932 1,293 366 590 347 278 227 967 870 331 596 292 122 238 212 1,899 Barrio de Juan Vinas y Turialba " de La Flor 2,163 697 1,186 639 " de Chirripo 280 516 43q Total 1 4,191 3,628 7.819 Canton de la Union. .Barrios, etc. Males. F'emales. Total. 530 394 333 293 185 243 167 547 408 328 259 182 238 149 1,077 Barrio de San Diego " de San Rafael 802 661 552 367 48 1 316 Total 2,145 2,111 4,2.S6 59 Province of Heredia. Canton de Heredia. Barrios, etc. Ciudad de Heredia (Centre) Barrio de San Pablo .... " de San Joaquin . . . " de San Isidro . . . " de Mercedes .... " de San Antonio . . . " de El Barreal .... " de Sarapiqui .... " de La Rivera .... " de San Franci.sco . . Males. Females. Total. 2.873 3.174 6,047 8gi 904 1.795 815 826 1,641 970 1,003 1,973 547 588 1,135 559 648 1,207 356 347 703 307 164 471 292 330 622 430 456 886 Total 8,040 8,440 Canton de Santo Domingo. Barrios, etc Villa de Santo Domingo (Centre Barrio de San Miguel .... " de Santo Tonias " de Santa Rosa " de San Vicente " de Paraisito 16,480 Canton de Barba. Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total. Villa de Barba (Centre) 419 490 251 122 161 493 496 262 130 140 gl2 986 " de San Pablo . . . 5I1 " de Santa I,ucia 2S2 301 Total 1443 1,521 2,964 Canton de Santa Ba rbara. Barrios etc. Males. Females. Total. Villa de Santa Barbara (Centre"! 326 290 294 167 315 362 278 302 136 375 688 S68 =96 " de Santo Domingo iC3 _ _ - 690 Total 1,392 _ J[,453_ 2,84^ Total Canton de San Rafael. Barrios, etc. Males. 1 Females. 1 Total. t Villa de San Rafael (Centre) 808 481 277 341 172 804 1,612 Barrio de San Jos6 " de Los Angeles " de Santiago 494 I 975 257 t 534 383 724 1S7 ! ;S9 Total 2,079 1 2,125 4,204 6o Province of Guanacaste. Canton de Liberia. Barrios, etc. Ma es. Females. Total. 1,095 567 388 463 296 254 i,J3i 540 390 335 257 167 2,226 1,107 " de Filadelfia 778 798 ' ' de Palmira 553 421 Total 3.063 2,820 5.883 Canton de Canas. Barrios, etc. Males. Villa de Canas (Centre) Barrio de Colorado . . . " de Sandillal . . . " de Hotel .... " de Santa Rosa . " de Buenaventura " de Bebedero . . " de Javia 179 434 147 124 91 94 102 46 Total 1,217 Canton de Ba^aces. Barrios, etc. Males. Villa de Bagaces (Centro) Barrio de Bebedero . . . " de Agua Caliente " de Tamarindo . . " de Monte Negro . " de Montana .... " de Pijij6 " de Rio Blanco . . . " de Salitial " de Joreo "' de Cofradia .... Total 112 52 85 51 Females. 239 77 48 37 56 59 54 Total. 419 189 100 122 107 127 122 III 57 44 1,476 Canton de Santa Cruz. Baririos, etc. Villa de Santa Cruz (Centro) Barrio de Belen ' ' de Veintisiete de Abril " de Santa Rosa .... '' de Limon " de Terapate y Arenal " de Lagunilla " de San Juan " de Porte Golpe .... " de Arado ' ' de Santa Barbara . . . " de Bols6n Total Males. Females. Total. 346 386 732 368 399 767 352 382 734 296 300 596 220 223 443 297 294 591 160 174 334 150 139 289 151 162 3'3 144 137 281 244 263 507 175 186 361 2,903 3,045 5.948 6i Canton de Nicoya. Barrios, etc. Males. Villa de Nicoya (Centro) Barrio de CorraliUo . . " de Matina .... " de San Antonio . " de Santa Rita . . " de Matambii . . " de Dulce Nombre " de Sabana grande " de Hunio " de Santa Ana . . " de San Joaquin . , " de San Lazaro . . " de San Pablo . . " de San Vicente . " de Zapote " de Pueblo Viejo . Total 376 222 181 i6i 167 158 127 176 118 87 85 60 38 71 126 Females. 42S 186 175 167 130 153 134 172 121 102 93 62 51 70 Total. 804 408 356 328 297 3" 261 348 239 189 1 78 141 264 242 2,285 Comarca de Puntarenas. Canton de Puntarenas. Barrios, etc. Ciudad de Puntarenas (Centro) Barrio de los Quemados .... " de Pitahaya " de Lagartos " de Abangares " de Rio Grande " de Paquera " de Chomes " de Ciruelitas " de Puerto Alto " de Cabo Blanco " de Corosal " de Barranca " de Jicaral " de Chacarita " de I^epanto " de Chira " de San Miguel " de Jigante " de Morales " de Tambar " de Las Agujas " de Curti " de Presidio de San Lucas " de Golfo Dulce (Centro) . " de Cabagra " de Buenos Aires . . . . , Pueblo de Terraba ' ' de Baruca Total 105 128 136 66 77 75 51 55 52 57 53 85 29 153 303 43 125 107 175 4,716 1,350 567 100 67 57 62 130 132 83 60 106 106 100 47 55 63 45 43 53 45 36 58 220 40 154 124 214 4.153 Total. 2,53s 1. 271 248 152 138 143 276 322 20^ 158 211 234 236 113 132 138 96 98 105 102 89 143 65 153 523 83 279 231 389 8,869 62 Canton de Esparza. Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total. Ciudad de Esparza (Centro) I 607 Barrio de San Jeronimo ] 159 " de San Rafael | 275 " de San Juan Grande " de San Juan Chiquito I 53 " de Macacona j 131 " de Los Nances [ 118 " el Bar6n 52 " de Paires 91 " de Maraiional " de Juanilama \ 80 Total 1 1,724 Gomarca de Litnon. Canton de Limon. ciudad de Limon (Centro) . . . Barrio de Reventazon ... " de Matina " de Jimenez " de Hospital in 12 millas . ' ' de Tortuguero ...... " de Estrella, Cieneguita, ) de Bananito y Cahuita J " de Talamanca Total Costa Rica had in 1892, taking this, census as 313 communities distributed as follows: basis, 76 in the province of San Jose with 76,718 inhabitants 73 ' ' " Alajuela ' 57,203 32 ' ' " Cartago ' 37,973 31 ' ' " Heredia ' 31,611 53 ' ' ' ' Guanacaste ' 20,049 40 ' ' comarca de Puntarenas ' 12,167 8 ' ' " Limon ' 7,484 1 203,505 inhabit- ants in tierta teniplada or temperate zone. 39,700 inhabit- ants in tierra caliente or warm zone. As may have been observed, there is a great repetition of names in Costa Rica, especially of places named in honor of saints, which for commercial convenience will probably be changed. Of communities there are not less than 63 a a ■"tl a' P o c d Qo ,. f « n fl o fl aJ cd 0^ lO named San Rafael . . 3 2 3 I I 7 ' ' San Juan . . . 2 2 I r 1 7 ' ' San Isidro . . I 4 I I _ 7 " Concepcion. . - 4 2 I _ 6 " San Antonio . 3 I - I I 5 " San Pedro . . I 2 - 2 _ 5 " San Francisco 2 - I I I 5 ' ' Ivos Angeles . - 3 I I _ 5 " San Jose . . . I 3 - I - 5 San Pablo . . 2 - - 2 I 4 " San Miguel . I I - I _ 4 " Santiago . . I I I 1 _ 3 " San Vicente . I - - I I 3 " San Jeronimo I I - - r 3 " Mercedes. . . I I - I _ 3 ' ' Buenos Aires . - I _ _ I 3 " Santa Rosa . . - - - I 2 2 " Santa Ana . . I - _ _ I 2 " San Ramon . - I I _ _ 2 ' ' San Roque . . - I - I _ 2 ' ' Jesus - I - I _ 2 " San Joaquin . - - - I I 2 ' ' Santa Barbara - - - I I u o ?i Of these 313 communities, distributed in 5 provinces with 28 cantones and in 2 comarcas with 3 cantones, the followdng table gives their relative importance: Centers. 1 had 12 had from 51 79 109 " 27 18 7 5 " 2 " I I " Inhabitants. 44 In the wafm zone. In the temperate zone. 50 to 100 250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 6,000 20,000 100 250 500 I II 40 25 1,000 17 ... . 1,500 3 . . . . 2,000 I . . . . 2,500 2 . , . . 3,000 I . . . . 4,000 ^ 2 7,000 — I 25,000 — I 313 10 1 212 64 In order to give an idea of the density of the population, there is roundly presented in the following table the area of each province and comarca, its total population and its population per square kilometer: Province of San ]os€ . " Alajuela . . " Cartage . . " Heredia . . " Guanacaste Comarca de Punlarenas " lyimon . . . Surface in square km. 4,000 11,000 3.500 1,500 10,000 11,060 13,000 Total Pop- ^^Pg"^^^;^" ulation. "^ f5" ^ 80,000 60,000 40,000 30,000 20,0C0 12,000 8,000 20.00 5-45 11-43 20.00 2.00 1.09 0.61 Temperate zone. Warm zone. In regard to the age of the population, the census of 1892 shows that there were: Males. 4,820 15,153 16,706 14,849 11,876 11,412 11,160 9.652 6,868 5,824 Females Years. 4,348 of less than i 14,438 from I to 5 16,688 I 5 " 10 13,865 1 10 " 15 12,450 15 " 20 11,764 20 " 25 10,838 25 " 30 9,520 30 " 35 6,283 35 " 40 5,878 40 " 45 Males. 3,929 3,949 2,037 2,085 913 593 347 147 85 43 32 Females. 3,817 from 45 50 Years. to 4,032 2,084 2,T45 952 755 426 281 no 58 43 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 95 to over 100 The military census gives the following figures of able- bodied men in the different cantones, provinces and comarcas : Province of San Jose Sanjos^ . . Escasii . . i . Desamparados Puriscal , . . Aserri . . . . Mora . . . , Tarraz6 . . . Goicoechea 3,345 from 18 to 35 years 702 1,121 93' 623 767 299 362 8,150 Total. 1,218 from 36 to 50 years, 4,563 241 372 289 197 235 88 138 2,778 943 1,493 1,220 820 1,002 387 500 10,928 65 Province of Alajuela. Alajuela . . • 2,125 "roni iSto 35 years • 732 San Ramon • i,i9f . 409 Grecia . . . . 1,121 • 387 Atenas . . . ■ 943 • 151 San Mateo . . 42S . 142 Naranjo . . • 697 . 229 Palmares . . • 442 • 157 6,947 732 from 36 to 50 years, 2.S57 " " 1,600 " 1,508 " " 1,094 570 926 599 2,207 9.154 Province of Cartago. Cartago . . . 2,512 from 18 to 35 years . , 869 from 36 to 50 years, 3,387 Paraiso ... 923 " " . . 327 " " 1,250 La Union . . 381 " " . . 163 " " 544 3,816 1,359 5.175 Heredia . Barba .... 341 " Santo Domingo 623 " Santa Barbara 298 " vSan Rafael . . 478 " Province of Heredia. 1,929 from 18 to 35 years . . 738 from 36 to 50 years, 2,667 122 " " 463 201 " " 824 109 " '« 407 136 " " 614 5,669 1,306 4,975 Liberia . . . • 732 Canas . . . 122 Bagaces . . . 146 Santa Cruz . . 578 Nicoya . . . . 491 Province of Guanacaste. 732 from 18 to 35 years . . 257 from 36 to 50 years, 989 40 " " 162 51 " " 197 185 " " 763 139 " " 630 2,069 672 2,741 Comarca de Puntarenas. 913 from 18 to 35 years . . 270 from 36 to 50 years, i , iS^ Comarci de Limon. 78 from 18 to 35 years . . 39 from 36 to 50 years, 117 Total Costa Rica . . 25,642 8,631 34.273 66 The movement of the population in regard to births, deaths and increase was in 1892 as follows: Province or Comarca. San Jos6 . . Alajuela . . Cartago . . Heredia . . Guanacaste Puntarenas Limon . . . Total Births. Deaths. Increase. 3,458 2,633 1,616 1,412 717 464 62 1,665 1,159 802 835 284 264 58 1,793 1,474 814 577 433 2CO 4 10,362 5,067 5,295 During- the first half of 1897 there were in the capitals of the same provinces or comarcas the following births and deaths: Births. Deaths. Illegiti^ mate. Legiti- mate. Total. ! Males. Females. Total. San Jose . Alajuela . Cartago . Heredia . Liberia . . Puntarenas Liraon . . 179 S2 63 13 34 35 28 428 290 357 76 13 15 7 607 ■ 372 420 89 47 50 35 1,620 ■ 825 795 247 117 133 85 13 44 38 209 i>5 117 92 M 35 24 456 232 250 177 27 P 62 Total .... 434 1,186 825 795 677 606 1,283 Deaths by Ages. From I to 5 years 709 From 6 to 20 years 65 From 21 to 50 5'ears .* . 317 From 51 and upward 192 Total 1283 These data show in favor of births over deaths an in- crease of 337, of whom 148 were males and 189 fem'ales. The causes of death in each 1000 cases were as follows: Fever 220 Cholera infantum 112 Diarrhea 52 Dysentery and colic 77 Typhoid fever 26 Bronchitis and pneumonia . . 91 Phthisis 42 Influenza 17 Dropsy 31 Heart failure 31 Apoplexy and paralysis ... 81 Indigestion 12 Gastro- enteritis 15 Enteritis 28 Inflammation 35 Cancer . . 16 Blood-poison 17 Syphilis 5 67 In regard to social conditions, the population of Costa Rica was distributed in 1892, by percentages, as follows: Province or Comarca. i 1 ! Married. \ Divorced. i Widowers. Widows. Single Male. single Female. San Jos6 . . . Alajuela . . . Cartago . . . Heredia . . . Guanacaste Puntarenas Limon .... 27.52 0.3S ' 28.71 0.1 1 1 26.76 0.08 ' 28.33 0.07 22. 82 0.64 18.17 1 0.30 5.05 ' 0.16 0.89 0.87 1.16 1.06 1.60 1.17 0-39 2.98 3-17 3-98 3.22 3-59 3-51 0.70 33-77 34.16 34.82 32.94 37-53 40.07 69. iS 34-46 32.98 33-20 34-3S 33.82 36.78 24.52 With respect to instruction there were 28,208 individuals who could read, and 48.215 persons who could read and write, leaving 166,782 illiterates, or 68.58 per cent of the entire population who could not read or write. It will be interesting for the economist to know the per- centage of the population capable of reading, or writing and reading. It is as follows: Province of Gurtago. Province of San Jose. ; Readers. San Jose i 20.00 Bscasti j s.oS Desamparados . , 15.40 Puriscal j g.i6 Aserri 5.32 Mora 6.05 Tarrazii .... 9.C9 Goicoechea . . . , 12.83 i ! 14-72 Readers and writers. 9-52 20.01 11.82 6.55 6.21 10.95 21.64 Readers. Readers and writers. Cartago Paraiso La Union 11.50 6.42 10.83 16.83 8.92 17.10 10.38 15.23 Province of Heredia. 25.69 Province of Alajuela. Readers. Readers and writers. Heredia Barba Santo Domingo . Santa Barbara . . San Rafael .... 15.42 12.72 14.16 11-53 9.08 27.81 20.27 19-50 17.40 14.81 13-77 22.45 Readers. Readers and writers. Alajuela San Ramon . . . Grecia Atenas San Mateo .... Naranjo Palmares 10.09 8.48 8.32 5.51 7.84 10.06 6.c6 20.17 10.02 11.22 9-45 12-55 12.98 15-45 S.71 14-33 Province of Guanacaste. Readers. Readers and writers. Liberia Caiias Bagaces Santa Cruz .... Nicoya 14-65 7.71 8.94 10.47 11.84 19.08 10.85 18.63 13-14 15.05 11.60 15.48 68 Comarca de Puntarenas» Readers. Readers and writers. Puntarenas. . . . Esparza 7-05 7-43 16.55 11.76 7-15 15-25 Gbmarca de Limon. Readers. 5.76_ Readers and writers. Limoii ^^Al-3 Total Costa Rica . 11.60 19.82 The total literates were 76,423 persons, or 31.42 per cent of the population. In the capitals of the dififerent provinces and comarcas the proportion was as follows: Readers. San Jose 25.37 P^^ cent. Alajuela / 16.92 " Cartago 19-99 " Heredia 15.66 " Liberia 9.38 " Puntarenas 17.25 " Limon ..... 13-47 " Readers and Writers. 44.62 per cent. 31-58 37-83 36.31 21.96 26.24 39-55 20.53 38-77 For these cities the total literates were 23,488 persons or 59.5 per cent, of their populaition. There were, out of the total number, 17,483 school chil- dren, who were taught by 451 teachers in public schools. There were also 6289 foreigners in the country, of which 2,516 were in the Province of San Jose. 395 " " " Alajuela. 362 " " " Cartago. 13S " " " Heredia. 634 " " " Guanacaste. 1,293 " Comarca de Puntarenas. 1,051 " " " Limon. These foreigners were distributed by nationalities as fol- lows : * 1,302 Nicaraguans, 831 Spaniards, 812 Colombians, 634 Jamaicans, 622 Italians, 342 Germans, 246 Englishmen, 204 Americans, 195 Salvadorans, 189 Frenchmen, 160 Guatemalans, 156 Cubans, 175 Chinamen, 132 Hondurans. 69 With respect to occupations, there were in Costa Rica in 1892: 896 Cattle- farmers, 2,102 Carmen, 8,314 Agriculturists, 96 Mule drivers. male, 565 Masons, 194 Agriculturists, 279 Butchers, female. 900 Merchants, 22,190 Laborers, 911 Clerks, 349 Servants, male. 92 Lawyers, 2,348 " female, 46 Surveyors, 40 Cooks, male. 131 Barbers, 3,801 " female, 913 Government 4,541 Seamstresses, employes, 1,031 Laundr}' iron- 541 Cigarmakers, ers. 265 Hat makers, 5,873 Laundry clean- III Bakers, ers. 54 Pharmacists, 366 Tailors, II Commission 378 Shoemakers, merchants. 980 Carpenters, 36 Watchmen, 82 Blacksmiths, 88 Hotel keepers, 42 Physicians, 243 Musicians, 16 Engineers, 12 Mechanics, 6 Miners, 41 Painters, 20 Silversmiths, 15 Watchmakers, 27 Saddlers, 49 Tanners, 12 Dyers, 77 Printers, 84 Sailors, 28 Carpet makers. A distribution of the people by their principal occupa- tions in the different cantones was as follows: (See next page.' 70 ■sajCoxdtua G saa^iBin ;bh sm;uiS2iDExa •SJa^nadjBO sjasiBtaaoiis •saoxiEX ssiaaxD •sjuBqajajv ■Siiooo •sj3J0q«1 N ?0 M VOmuOmmCSINIO OOGO M irnrtt^-^t^ DvO lO -^ -"d- ro w o^ oo in i^ ro 01 vo a\ o o^oo c> o^ ^ N n^3 a « ■saXoxdxiia ;U3XUUJ3AOQ •SJ^:^lBHt -jBgxo ■saa^iBui ;bh •smuusuDBia •sj3;u3daB3 3 < •s;nBqoj3j\[ •SjajoqBl •SJanBuiaoqs O- \C ^ tC 01 01 01 •SJOIIBJ, i-no -!f to rO 01 01 ■U3IIUB3 f, t^ Ol 01 1- w ro o c? o n 01 m >-. 0. ■s^aiD 01 00 01 r^x o o- t- CMO O Ci O^ w 0^ O -"^ O" w O^ M rO C7» W \0 vO CO t^ M ►-. 01 GC t-( 00 CO a»oo !->. r^ r^ loo3 •sj^jaqBl ■SJ31UJCJ •saauijBii t^ w M M CO lOCO VD rO r^co >-< w o ■ beoi -.213 , ■a-s-s .2 OB'S W™ oi cQ rt ?3 tn 05 'v: 72 G rt 3 Ah •sa.Joidma c •SJ^:^lB^u -JB.SlO •SUailBUl 3BH o ■sinxins^oBXa o ■S.131U3cUbO CO ro -^ 0^ t^ ■SJ3>[BU13011S CO M M ■* m •SJO^IBX 0.M 1 ^.« •II3UUB3 1 O O CO 1 •sn.1313 r-- uo CO vo -^ ■s;uBqojsi\i •srsiooo I •S1UBA.13S M3 CO -ll-^O N CVI >H 01 ^O U-J ^ t sasjoqe'i ■sasuuBj OD C--00 W N O O-CO-* O- vo ■- n-co ID CO COC^VO 1 -sasuuB,^ Liberia 82 Caiias 3i Santa Cruz 126 1 1 j ;u3iim43AOO •SJ3IIBUI -jbSjo •sa3:?tBxii ;bh |-smnusiiOB;a a u u (i B o U ■s.i3^uacIaB3 01 CT- ■Ba3:!lBUt30V[S OD 1/0 •SJOXIBJ, O^ N •tiauiaBO 10 On •SIIJ3ID 00 in "S^UBipjSH •s:;tooo •S^llBAJSS •SJSJoqBl •SJ3XIUBJ u 13 ai ^U3Ulll.l3AO0 s •SJ3!lBUl -jbSio 1 sjs^Bm :iBH 1 •smiuisiiDBia CO •sj3;n3d-iB0 « •SJ3HBU13011S j •S-IOIIBJ, r~ •naiujBO 1 1 00 CO ■S;UBllDJ3M •S3I0O0 t^ ( •S^lIBAJSg 1^ ■0 •saajoqBl 1- sjatajBj 00 i •SjaiuaBH CO _ • 1 1 'P( 73 The criminal statistics of Costa Rica for 1896 were as fol- lows: There were 4022 delinquencies punished by the police courts, namely: 1,295 i" San Jose, 626 in Alajuela, 678 in Car- tage, 520 in Heredia, 200 in Liberia, 424 in Puntarenas and 279 in Port Limon. Of these there were convictions of 1686 for drunkenness and disorder. 861 for slight misdemeanors. 340 for fighting, domestic scandals and inflicting slight injuries. 274 for violations of sanitary and moral ordinances. 280 for vagrancy. 80 for carrying arms. 65 for petty larceny. 6 for larceny. There were also 989 criminal sentences recorded in the Court of Second Instance, together with 124 criminal and civil judgments in the Court of Cassation. The national "Presidio de San Lucas" contained at the same time 170 prisoners. Costa Rica in 1896 had 1744 prosti- tutes, m'ostly between sixteen and twenty-five years of age, under supervision. Nearly half of this number were in San Jose, the rest in the ports and in Heredia, Akjuela and Car- tag-o. Nearly 300 women were in the hospitals being treated for venereal diseases, while 502 individuals were registered in the "Department de profilaxis venerea." There were during the same year thirteen commercial in- solvencies, two cases of absolute and three of partial divorce. The different courts of the country, during the year of 1896, entered 5417 civil and testamentary judgments, including a number concerning mining and national land claims The people of Costa Rica must be considered as standing high above those of the neighboring countries in regard to morals and civilization. The mass of the people is indus- trious, honest, sober, clean, comparatively well-clothed, economical, obedient to the authorities and respectful of the laws. VII. IMMIGRATION AND COLONIES. Im'migration to Costa Rica has been small. During the first half of 1897 there entered 1533 individuals by Port Limon and 389 by the Port of Puntarenas; but during the same time 11 50 persons left Costa Rica through Port Limon and 344 through Puntarenas. The result is a gain of only 428 persons in favor of the country. In 1896, the ex!cess of registered immigrants over emigrants was 11 12 persons, there having entered 3980 and departed 2868 persons. Sev- eral times attempts have unsuccessfully been made by for- eigners to establish colonies. Still there is a colony in the Department of Guanacaste, called "Colonia de Nicoya," which was commenced by Cubans, headeid by Maceo, the late Cuban revolutionist chief. This colony possesses a sugar factory and five trapiches, producing 720 quintals of sugar and about 3000 quintals of mascabado. Only five colonists still cultivate tobacco. The colony has a school for boys and another for girls, the latter attended by thirty and the other by forty pupils. Besides there is here postal service and a telegraph office. A second colony located in the San Carlos district is known as ''Colonia de Aguas Zarcas," and has 500 lots, but it does not progress for lack oi roads and markets easy to reach. A third colony was established in Santa Clara, on a branch of the Atlantic Railroad. But there are actually there only eight families with about seventy hectares of cultivated land, one trapiche and a saw-mill. (74) 75 Another colony was started by the River Plate Trust, Loan and Agency Company, Limited, in Turialba, near the railroad between Limon and San Jose. There were 500 acres sold for 15 pesos each, 2071.9 acres for 20 pesos each, 750 acres for 25 pesos each, and 1381.1 acres for 30 pesos each, the land being situated on the Tuis River and Cabeza de Buey. Besides a contract was made with W. C. Beal from Portland, Oregon, U. S. A., for the sale of 14,000 acres on condition of procuring each year for seven years the settle- ment of a number of families to cultivate these lands. In order to give easy access to the markets, a cart road is in process of construction, which will connect the colony with the nearest railroad station. The Government of Costa Rica is now preparing new laws in regard to immigration, colonization and sale of national lands. The former laws have been suspended, the Government being convinced that the lands approprialted in former years are more than sufficient to respond to the re- quirements of the next twenty years. The Government also thinks it to be preferable to promote by resitriotive laws the subdivision of these lands and their cultivation than to con- sent to new grants under the former statutes. Exceptions are to be made for colonization companies and enterprises adapted to the economic development of the country. In former years the Government of Costa Rica has often offered inducements in the way of land-grants for European immigration. In 1849 a grant of land of twenty leagues in length by twelve in breadth was made to a French company for 1000 colonists. The conditions of the contract were not carried out, though a considerable number of immigrants formed under it an establishment. A similar grant was made on the Atlantic coast to a British company, which had no re- sult. Still another concession was made. May 7, 1852, to a German company organized at Berlin with Baron von Billow as Director. This enterprise died with its manager in 1856. A further attempt was made in 1852, by Crisanto Medina, to whom a large grant of land was made for colonization pur- 76 poses at Miravalles, about 2500 feet above the sea, but this project too was abandoned after settling about thirty-seven Germans on the grant. In 1856, some French immigrants came, and in 1858 another colonization law was passed, and ever since the Government has persisted in the policy of aug- menting the population by offering inducements to foreigners to settle in Costa Rica. All these Government proffers have, however, proved ineffectual. VIII. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. Elementary instruction of both sexes is compulsory and at the expense of the Government. The following data are obtained from the Minister of Public Instruction, Licentiate Ricardo Pacheco. In 1896 Costa Rica had 327 primary schools with 21,913 enrolled pupils, or 53 per cent, of all the children of school age, as can be seen in the following table : Number of Official Schools Number op Pupils. u Hr^ §0 si m >» pq '6 in n Girls. s ^ u m u V V V a 8i3 San Jos6 .... Alajuela .... 43 43 6 92 3,766 3,766 7,118 78.45 28.81 9.27 54-57 4b 45 i5 107 3,02s 2,862 5.890 55-04 32.36 10.29 60.57 Heredia .... 25 24 I 50 1,817 1,475 3.292 65.84 24-75 8.66 51-07 20 20 7 47 2,132 1,728 3,880 82.56 26.76 12.27 72.19 II 9 I 21 649 513 1,162 55-33 21.92 5-79 34-09 Puntarenas . . . I.,itnon 5 4 — 9 297 199 496 55-11 22.59 4.07 23.98 "~ ~ I I 30 45 75 75.00 37-50 1. 00 58.96 150 145 32 327 11,719 10,194 21,913 67.01 27-94 9.01 53- This great number shows a marked predisposition of the people in favor of education. It is also a fact that Costa Rica holds the first place of all Latin American nations in regard to public instruction. The number of school buildings is 215, besides 29 hi process of construction and 50 projected. These 215 build- (77) 78 ing-s are the property of the "Juntas de Educacion." Besides tl-ese, 107 building's are rented and 6 loaned. There are 92 schools in 48 diflferent localities in the Department of San Jose. Alajuela. Cartago. Heredia. Guanacaste. Puntarenas. I/inion. 327 schools in 202 diflferent localities. Costa Rica has more teachers than soldiers. The num- ber of the former reaches the figure of 784, of whom 337 are men and 447 women, distributed in the following way: 07 67 50 27 47 29 21 ' ' 22 ' 9 8 I ' ' I ' Men. Women. Total. Costa Yearly -'cats, jn^to^" 98 80 59 63 30 7 149 102 74 82 23 15 2 247 182 133 145 53 22 2 221 128,540 167 j 79,920 126 ! 58,020 137 ' 61,260 Cartago Heredia Guanacaste Puntarenas Ii 60 (( 33 Cart road. 213 " 18 II 180 60 Railroad, cart road. 60 Cart road. i6}4 Railroad, cart road. 30 Saddle road. 75 " 14 Cart road. 12 Saddle road. 220 Cart road. 198 II 39 36 " 42 * * 30 27 Saddle road. 24 Cart road. 40>^ " 30 27 19;^ " 18 3 • ■ \ 14,509,440 silver. 1896 5,597,727 gold- Rica Since 1884. Importations. 13,521,900 gold. 3,660,900 " 3,537,600 " 5,601,200 " 5,201,900 " 6,306,400 " 6,615,400 " 8,351,000 " 5,389,700 '• 5,849,500 " 4,094,853 " 3,851,460 " 4,748,818 " Imports and Exports by Countries. Great Britain Germany France . Spain . Italy . Belgium United States Mexico . . Imports in gold. 11,702,145 947,647 526,382 189,623 32,412 7,280 1,295,682 18,725 Exports in silver. ^916,287 386,737 70,004 3,642,896 182,326 120,912 I25,4i6 800 3.890 502 123,921 — 81,609 — 99 Colombia Ecuador . Peru Cuba Jamaica Central America 252,691 75, 810 1893- Imports in gold. Great Britain ^1,697,944 Germany . . . , . . 1,123,836 France ... 807,761 Spain . 192,026 Italy 39,829 United States . . . . r, 399,615 Mexico 1 1,993 Colombia 228,036 Ecuador ... 94,387 Cuba . . 40,023 Jamaica 25,939 Central America i43,437 Total ^5,804,926 1894. Imports in gold. Great Britain . ^07,462 Germany ....... . ... 566,367 France 223,479 Spain (Cuba) ... ... 103,276 Italy 40,215 United States 940,640 Colombia 32,138 Ecuador ........ 36,917 Belgium „ . . 7,082 Commodities Imported in 1894. Gold. Pesos. General merchandise #2,857,580 56 7,062,224 60 Merchandise not dutiable .... 944,835 09 2,335,065 44 Coined money 4,183 46 10,339 00 Silver bars 89,018 37 220,000 00 Animals 30,929 84 76,440 00 Animals coming overland .... 91,041 52 225,000 00 Lumber , 15,911 27 39,323 12 Passengers' baggage 6,352 45 15,699 45 Merchandise from custom houses . 5 000 00 12.3,570 00 12j3S'7,oo Merchandise by post 50,00000 123.57000 Total 14,094,852 56 10,120,018 61 lOO Total Exports for 1894. Gold. Pesos. Cofifee ... .14,198,252 08 10,375,560 19 Bananas 443.315 37 1,095.609 60 Coined money 58,611 78 144,852 95 Gold, not coined 23,500 00 58,078 10 Woods. . 144,58466 357,32653 Various products . 115,231 68 284,783 58 Unspecified products 69,617 57 172,052 86- Total 15,053.113 U 12,488,263 81 1895. Imports by Countries. Gold. Great Britain 1851,849 Germany 684,118 France 261,534 Spain (Cuba) . 223,441 Italy '. ■ . - 33,088 Belgium 5,978 United States 1,179,546 Central America 263, South America 65,633. 1896. Gold. Great Britain 11,264,85633 Germany . - 893,816 66 France 378,906 35 Spain (Cuba) . . 162,825 54 Italy . . ■ 71,769 52 Belgium ... 3,089 48 Denmark . 103 05 Portugal 24 oa United States 1,401,074 25 Central Americ . . 813 75 Colombia ... ■ 16,951 48 Ecuador • 38,385 27 Peru 15,791 3S Commodities Imported in i8g6. Gold. Merchandise entered at custom houses .... 14,226,925 05 Merchandise sent by post 61,622 93. Baggage of marine passengers 6,095 84 Baggage of overland passenger.s 5,000 00 Woods . 21,481 9& Animals ■■ . • - 423,069 23 Coined money 4,623 59 Total 14,748,818 62 lOI Total Exports for i8g6. Gold. Coffee, 11,089,523 kgs., valued at 14,318,285 90 Bananas, 1,692,102 bunches, valued at .... 670,07240 Woods, valued at 485,695 35 Coined and other metal, valued at 29,459 5° Re-exports and provisions, valued at . . . 11,32859 Various commodities 82,885 27 '^°^^^ • • • 15,597,727 01 Imports by Countries for First Half of 1897. Gold. Oreat Britain .... 1518,833 37 Germany 357,652 02 France 167,303 77 ^P^^" 55,154 48 ^"^^ 20,543 78 ^t^ly 83,070 50 Belgium 4_8g3 ^^ United States 871,646 91 South America . ., , 94 571 90 Santo Tomas '445 00 Nicaragua lo^y^g go Guatemala 288 06 Salvador 21,334 50 Postal packages 44,999 30 Merchandise in passengers goods i,493 40 #2,252,970 39 Additional for 3816 animals, valued at ... . 74,743 60 '^'^^'^ J^2,327,7i3 99 The following list, which I owe to the amiability of the highly competent Director General of the National Depart- ment of Statistics, Hon. Manuel Aragon, shows the principal articles of import and their value in gold pesos by countries since 1893: I02 O 00 t^ O M vo o oi in • ON • M VO VO VO 00 ON o ^ ^ . «_ . CO 01 tovo, -* in 01 On 00 _ «" _ o* CO oT 00 C4 t^ o t^vo tovo , . . o . . to OI O MVO o 00 in M -d-moo vo inr^ o t-^ lO t^ VO Tl- M in M . . o . . s r^co OD M o 00 ^ pTrC cooT oo" . . ^ . vo' to •^ CO M . CO . o O On -^ M t-^ to . }h t^ Tt O o o N CO 'VO lo-a- t^ tL, 1 '^ to to ^ CO ■* .vo m" _ oT vo" CO On . « >-i 00 M « 01 0100 NO 00 inM Onoo r^ . vo M 00 C«VO o -^ ■^ -^ ON On M 01 01 cooo ■3-VO M ON tovo M 01 t^ H\0 00 ON Td-00 00 ONto- f-T CO t^ <^ CO • -* -* VO 01 M ^o M.OOOOOnNOOMN .n .vo^ cj ^00 MTj-inoMno m toi-^ ' CO t^ 01 ^ '■O o ^~ Ti-co Minot^inooN.p) .nco . o__ VO to K^ o\ -S- cotC vo' m" ^ d; o" t^ in inoo h" c^" in . oo' oTvo" a a VO M MM m • • ^a- 00 OM^ COCO^Tj-^M co^f--rointoino CO CO cot-^vo u CT. 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'n ° °.°^ o H M N ro^ O "^ of w'ocf i-T M vd ci in CO 00 toof 04 a CO ONCO rr> N N M CS ■ ^ ■M to M 00 VO VO M yD CO *H t^vo vo -^ in On ^vo ONVO ^ . M M On . u T -^r^vo V O VOOO lOVO 00 c^^t vo o moo m r^oo vo vo in v£ to to M Tt-r^T)-o lo CO coin MMtOCSOtOOM t^o ^ . CO looo; . c ^M in "3 00 ONt^O ON Ti- tF to vo m' m' CO M m' -»: t-; M o\ . o" ro W lO i ^ " VH " 00 00 00 \o or-^\DyDco ON CO . VO . ONVO 00 vo vo vo ^ vo 00 t-^ M VC ,nO .oc 1 HMMHNtOl-ICOM vo On - M O M VO On • ON M CO On 01 ^ 'S-OO -* ^ Tl- Tt- Tf- CO ■*vo ^ . ^"^N cooo ^ ^ . CO -rt -^ 01 t: ; S' OM-i N 01~-\0 00 O Tl- t-^io CO VO ONO vo ONN c> M CO ON 00 o 01 . CO i CO CO CN] • to • cool 01 ■-a • • . . V . . . • a • in • ^ III t- c < < c i- c c < c. 1- 1- a 1- S 5 fc ftO 1- fl cd d 3 0) O 5s o •■.C . 1- <^ C rt 11- t ',£ c c i > 1- (U I I x> c Clip a a bi U 2 c O U UPM I03 :-.- - vovO CO OOVO i-i r^^ cot^ cT •? ■ ■ . . CO -r 3 : o 00 OCT. M r-^GO . o c^ . CO CO o woo O 00 00 ^ -^t^ '^ r^ cs CO o^ « oo" r^ t-^ t^oo" O lO colO OMOiO M r-, M co\o covo r^ CO ON «D lO CO oT rf . CO RoO in N . 0_ . N_\D_ lO ■* CO 01 oS 'J- to CO ►- oo C^ lO t-- o 00 r- in o • CO 00 « M CO CO 8 ^"S^ cooq^ -s- ^ Tf Tj- N \o_ N_ 00 vq^ i--. . uS cR rO n' uSoo" uS ■* CO n'oo" in lO H^ CO t^ rt M CO ■ CO q OOt^u^MVOlOt^ VO Q\01kH\OUOMCO u^ ^kO_ M 0_ « lO •* M_ CO pT m" ^" i "^ CO . o . .co-*MO"riM o^ .OVOCSOOMC^cO t^ .rio^cocoin-^o. CO 1 : :1 : : r^ . . . . VO o ON " g • II • a o o ■ u OO 1.2 o p. * 5^ " ■ a o C U M CO o si i2 o I04 Among other countries Spain, including Cuba, imported in 1893, alcohol ($26,346), cigarettes ($11,418), cognac ($8976), liquors ($14,719), cotton cloth ($19,416), and wnes ($126,417); in 1894, alcohol ($15,500), cigarettes ($7753), wines ($30,436); in 1895, alcohol ($81,000), cigarettes ($10,800), tobacco ($6288), wines ($46,957). Colombia imported in 1893, alcohol ($7783), cacao ($4229), cattle ($115,847); in 1894, caoao ($9710); in 1895, cacao ($11,720), tobacco ($6959). Italy imported in 1893, marble ($4623), wines ($14,791); in 1894, wine ($3491); in 1895, butter ($2209), hats ($1240), cotton cloth ($1568), and wines ($6933). Central America imported in 1893, tobacco ($112,418), sugar ($9895), cacao ($2846), maize ($6891), ibutter ($2893), cigars ($7626). The exportation during the -first six months of iSgy was as follows: Total value. Port of Ivimon. Port of Puntarenas. Kilos. Value. Kilos. Value. Coffee, in pargement . Coffee, in oro Gold. 1538,462 20 4,127,698 05 225,267 50 Silver. 525,042 09 67,831 16 4i,.t43 59 13,961 95 7,200 00 6,117 17 5,977 59 2,898 15 2,809 96 1,590 14 1,487 00 1,679 00 1,767 00 700 00 640 67 606 04 377 15 143 75 223 02 68 00 374 32 350 00 200 00 150 00 1,794,874 10,139,879 27,400,966 125,397 7.587 12 6 49 1,294 ' " ' '597 1,846 1,350 175 468 2,000 16 ^38,462 20 3,548,957 65 225,267 50 37,665 80 11,095 75 7,200 00 6,117 17 60 00 1,548 40 112 00 1,487 00 1,767 00 52 00 360 90 200 00 150 00 1,653,544 $578,740 40 Cedar wood Mora wood mdes Rubber 656,451 3,322,435 7,945 2,194 525,042 09 67,831 16 3,777 79 2,866 20 Skins Cacao Guaygacum wood . Potatoes 6,557 659 138,000 11,535 5,917 59 1,349 75 2,809 96 1,478 14 Blue thread 134 1,679 CO So^p Cocobola wood .... Dulce (mas cabado) . Zarzaparrilla .... Cedron Sugar Pita-hats Caoba (mahogany) . Pearl shell 1,890 31,465 3,565 264 732 70 III 2,241 700 00 640 67 554 04 16 25 143 75 223 02 68 00 374 32 478 00 Turtle shell (carey) . Total $5,201,966 58 39,491,033 ^.348,123 5,231,835 §853,843 27 In regard to coffee there were exported from October i, 1896, to June 30, 1897, 231,904 sacks (13,843,088 kilos), of I05 which 84.67 per cent., or 196,343 sacks, in oro, and 15.33 per •cent., or 35,561 sacks, in pargement. From this amount 87.93 per cent., or 203,913 sacks (12,184,027 kilos), went through Port Limon and 12.07 P^^^ cent., or 27,991 sacks (1,659,061 kilos), through Puntarenas. From Limon 61,329 per cent, was transported by the Atlas Line, 32.300 per cent, by the British Royal Mail, 2.271 per cent, by the French Steamship line, 3.299 per cent, by the German Line, 0.801 per cent, by other lines. It will be interesting to know the places to which this large amount of coffee is shipped. These particulars are found in the following list : Sacks. London 133,676 San Francisco I9>946 New York 33,S87 Hamburg 24,833 Bordeaux 5,827 Paris ...... 206 Bremen 12,373 Montreal Antwerp 31° Lockport I Chicago . . • • I Malaga i Geneva 439 Trieste 254 Valparaiso 5>o Panama 62 Barcelona i 1 ^ Kilogr. 7,903,450 1,183,980 2,072,289 1,502,311 346,822 12,524 821,712 J 13,843,008 Total 231,904 In connection with the coffee trade there are here given interesting statistics concerning the average annual consump- tion of cofifee pej- capita of the population of different coun- tries : Pounds. Greece . . .1.24 Italy .... 1. 00 Great Britain, i.oo European Russia . ,0.19 Holland Denmark . Belgium . Norway . . Switzerland Pounds. . 21.00 , 13.89 . 13-48 . 9.80 • 7-03 United States , Sweden . . , Germany . . France . . Pounds. . 7.61 . 6.II 3-94 • 2.73 Austria . . . .2.13 Industries. — The scarcity of working people and the ab- sence of capital were formerly the greatest barriers to the io6 progress of industry, while at the same time the abundance and relative cheapness of imported articles rendered useless all attempts at home production. In regard to industrial and manufacturing establish- ments and workshops, there were in 1892: 842 in the Province of San Jose. " " Alajuela. " " Cartago. " " Heredia. " " Guanacaste. ' ' Comarca de Puntarenas. " " Litnon. 700 193 272 187 89 20 2303 Distribution of industrial and manufacturing estab- lishments in Costa Rica. Iron foundries Blacksmith-shops . . . . Gunsmith-shops Flour-mills Soap factories Breweries Ice factories Distilleries Brick and tile factories . , Fine brick-yards Lime-kilns Cartridge factories . . . . Sugar factories Sawmills Coffee-mills Iron sugar-mills Wooden sugar-mills . . . Marble yards Stone-cutting yards . . . Carpeuter-shops Cabinet-shops Tailor-shops Tanneries ........ Shoemaker-shops Barber-shops ... Saddleries Bakeries Confectioners Drug stores Dyeing establishments . Photograph galleries. . . Printing establishments , Lithographers Book binderies , "Watchmakers Silversmiths Candle factories Total 205 248' 6 35 75 154 842 I 700 1- i-i > t) o O a iG_-r o 3 >n ■2^-0 O P^ tS t^ o CO cy« Q o 10 oO o a^ o o q >o 10 d c5\o d in uS CO o o r^ CO CMO OtTsd" rf tT O UO CO CO . OsM w CO lOr-TfTt- Tt r^ 1000 o o 10 CO o N cor^co-^ KO -^ovo o toco Cl CO O CO lO'O o\ 10 "^00 in CO oj CO M loco '^ 10 c^co CO O lO O t-^ lO "^ d^ CO CO d» CO t-Tvd" CO 00 (N M T;^ o ■o t^ m 10 w ii6 For the same period the "PubHc Register" furnishes the following statistics of mortgages on real estate esti- mated in pesos : Distribution of Mortgages. Cancellations, 0) as U Q, T3 3 3 02 V ^ Ph u id San Jos6 . . Alajuela . . Heredia . . Cartago. . . Guanacaste . Puntarenas . Limon . . . 211 152 63 166 14 12 51 990,051.28 348,825.25 190,864.31 409,518.63 86,281.03 41,843.00 199,893.84 294 60 77 139 3 4 16 796,975.98 104,565 73 187,202.05 263,261.16 20,000.00 43,000.00 19,300.00 116 70 31 111 4 28 283,513.97 304,672.37 111,107.42 346,415.03 32,952.00 139,917.61 211 33 28 71 2 13 539.572.67 188,675.39 41,781.50 78,297.61 27,498.00 95,505-35 669 2.267,277.34 593 1,434,304.92 360 1,218,578.40' 358 971,330.52 San Jos6 . Alajuela . Heredia . Cartago . Guanacaste Puntarenas I^imon . . Partial Cancellations in Pesos. O 11 go < 169,835.81 42,414.00 3, 810. CO 238,746.76 66,000.00 p^ 37 O V 87,560 4,400 7.700 18,368 81 00 00 42 17,367.00 105 520,806.57 59 135,396.23 Resume. Number of Mortgages. Sum Secured. Pesos. Rural . . 669 2,267,277.34 Rural Urban . 593 1262 1,434,304.92 Urban 3,701,582.26 Resume. Total and Partial Cancellations. Pesos. ■ . 465 1,739,384-97 . 417 1,106,726.75 5,111.72 Since 1865 the mortgage law permits this mode of converting real estate; upon due official registration its value may be divided into shares, each represented by a cedula or bond, on which as collateral security money can be raised at any time with perfect safety. This law is included in the Codizo Civil of 1887 and 117 since that time cedulas to following amounts have been issued: Pesos. 1888 12,000 1889 60,500 1890 70,200 189I 170,100 1892 380,000 Pesos. 1893 336,800 1894 482,000 1895 666,000 1896 ..:.... 1,002,000 1897 1,381,700 . The municipal taxes are not high. The owners of real estate are required to pay only the taxes devoted to the maintenance of municipal police, street lighting and the domestic supply of water. Other municipal taxes comprise license fees for com- mercial business, for slaughtering cattle and hogs; for wine houses; taxes for registering of dogs; taxes on tan- neries, breweries, coffee-cleaning establishments, ceme- teries, etc. Other important factors of the economic life of Costa Rica are the existing hanking estaUishments. The first bank of Central America was established in 1857, in Costa Rica, by Crisanto Medina. This institution ceased and, in 1863, was replaced by the Banco Anglo-Costaricense with an authorized capital of 2,000,000 pesos and a paid-up capital of 1,200,000. This bank still exists, together with the Banco de Costa Rica established in 1867 with a paid-up capital of 2,000,000 pesos. It incorporated with itself the former Banco de la Union established in 1877. The Bank of Costa Rica has had from the Govern- ment the privilege of issuing paper money to the extent of four times its cash on hand. The average circulation of these bank notes since 1882 has been as follows: 882-83 883-84 884-85 885-86 886-87 887-88 888-89 Pesos. 35,000 1889-90 56,400 1890-91 168,890 1891-92 210,170 1892-93 1,004,010 1893-94 1,518,290 1894-95 2,191,930 1895-96 Pesos. 2,911,479 3,249,914 3,037,167 2,820,892 3,079,067 3,565,041 3,820,404 ii8 This issue privilege was withdrawn in 1897 on the introduction of the 'colon de oro/ and a special arrange- ment was made with the bank to uphold the contemplated change from a silver to a gold standard. The Banco de Costa Rica, on July 15, 1897, had a reserve fund of 745,000 pesos and a dividend account of 50,000. It has branches in Heredia, Cartago and Alajuela. The situation of this bank at the same date was in pesos as follows: Assets. I^iabilities. Cash on hand: Coin 1,268,682.33 Checks against the Anglo-C. R. Bank 10,075.43 Foreign correspondents . . . Accounts current 1,278.757-76 191,073.64 335.324-39 Bills receivable . . 5,373,304.39 Branch Banks . . . 373.595-05 Bonds of School- loan 40,607.50 Various obligations to collect .... 254,101.99 Immovable prop- erty 167,052.54 Furniture 10,000.00 Stamps 1,433.00 Sundry accounts . 29,131.76 1,805,155.79 Securities in commission for collection Deposit of ' Colones de Oro ' 6,149,226.23 7,954,382.02 394,420.74 6oo,ooo.eo 8,948,802.76 Capital paid up . . 2,000,000.00 Reserve fund . . . 745,000.00 Dividend account . 50,000 00 Discounts 120,984.70 2,915,984.70 Notes in circulation 3,929,972.50 Deposits, on time or demand .... 1,108,424.82 5,038,397-32 Securities in commission for collection 394,420.74 Government on account 'Co- lones de Oro ' 600,000.00 8,948,802.76 The bank is ready to retire 540,000 pesos of its own notes in correspondence with the first gold deposit of 600,000 pesos. In view of the satisfactory transactions of the Bank 20 per cent, was distributed in dividends for the fiscal year ending in 1897. Its manager is Mr. Jose Andres Coronado. Its Board of Directors include Messrs. Francisco Peralta, Aniceto Esquivel, Fabian Esquivel, Daniel Nufiez and Manuel Sandoval. The manager of the Banco Anglo-Costaricense is Mr. Percy G. Harrison, and its Board of Directors is com- posed of Messrs. Adrian Collado, Simeon Guzman, Telesforo Alfaro, Gerardo Jager and Mariano Monte- alegre. 119 The situation of the Banco Anglo-Costaricense on June 30, 1897, was in pesos as follows: PO « 5 N 'i-oo 1 mix> M rOM •*N 88 ts^ §8 ^s 00 CO ^ 5t Cuvi U(4 U bDV rt w o o o o U3 (A to 000 ij V V OOP s o ^2 U U) s-a 2^ So 80 ..Sc JS "So ■3 fl « a a Ire*' ^s- O " m in -CO a n ■c-o So moo ■2£ 8« to O QP4 «.5^;s 8 00 0\ 10 S" 00 cs O 0\0 I ■* CTMO c • r! . G (d a . n a • . a I: 8 • V u r 'Ou >- OS ' Oii ^ u • h fllU . - ••o • o .•a beg a ^ S?* a "^ cd '-Tj o -g vcj btrr -2 otn Sen ■2 "2")^°'^ •S .'S lU ai " — d) D « I— (S J-] uucn « >s is Ss o.ti (U (U O0!j an aS «S iLi a 1-0 ^ a,*^ 'n'-S K o a " a a y " o M « 5 I20 Foreign commercial obligations were settled through these banks on the following terms: Drafts at three days' sight on Paris cost one per cent, less than on London on same time; those at ninety days' sight on Paris or Lon- don cost one per cent, less than at three days' sight; those at sixty days' sight, on New York, cost two per cent, less than on three days' sight. Submarine cable transfers of money cost two per cent, more than by three days' sight drafts with the cost of telegraphing added. Until the 24th of March, 1897, the Bank of Costa Rica sold drafts on New York for five points more than for those on London. Since the 25th of March, 1897, the difference of exchange between those cities has been eight per cent. The rates on London, in October and November, 1897; were 127, and those on New York were 135. XIII. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION. Costa Rica is a republic, the government of which is representative, the representatives being classified so that one-half retires every two years. Since 1825 Costa Rica has had nine constitutions, the last one having been promulgated in 1871. The government is administered through three dis- tinct branches; namely, the legislative, executive and judi- cial. Legislative powers are vested in a single house whose members are chosen, one for every 8000 inhabitants, for a term of four years by an electoral college. This body is •called the "Constitutional Congress" and assembles every year on May i for a sixty days' session, which may be extended for thirty days more. The executive power is vested in the President of the Republic who is elected for four years and has the power of naming or removing his four cabinet ministers. Annually, in May, Congress appoints, for a term of one year, three substitutes called "designados." During the intervals between sessions of Congress legislative power is represented by a board of five commissioners appointed by Congress. Judicial power is lodged in a Supreme Court and in subordinate tribunals as constituted by law. The judiciary is changed every four years. Sufifrage is restricted to popular conventions which choose a limited number of electors. These meet in a body called the electoral assembly and proceed to choose the President of the Republic and the Congressmen. (121) 122 The Republic is divided into five Provinces and two Comarcas or Territories. Both are divided into Cantones, and the Cantones are subdivided into districts. The Territories are represented in Congress in the same way as the Provinces. Each Canton has a municipal organization popularly- elected and a political chief named by the President. In each of the Provinces or Territories there is a Governor, and a military commandant also named by the President, and a Judge of First Instance appointed by the Supreme Court. Costa Rica, as soon as she became a member of the Central American Confederation, organized a judiciary of her own consisting of a superior court, several tribunals of first resort in the provinces, and the alcaldes of towns who were justices of the peace with jurisdiction over petty afifairs both civil and criminal. The Supreme Court has since undergone many changes. The Supreme Court is a Court of Law composed of five justices. Two Courts of second instance have three magistrates each. In each of the Provinces and in the Comarca of Pun- tarenas there are judges having criminal and civil juris- diction. In the chief towns of each Canton the alcaldes act in civil cases of minor importance, and in criminal cases are judges of petty offenses, and for graver charges are com- mitting magistrates. In the districts the justices of the peace and the police are charged with maintaining the public peace and they act for small misdemeanors in a summary way. For fiscal affairs there are an Inspector General of Hacienda, an alcalde of Hacienda, and a National Judge of Hacienda. There is also a special judge of mines resid- ing at San Mateo. Punishments are generally neither cruel nor pro- tracted. They comprise confinement in a prison or peni- tentiary, transportation, or a fine. The penitentiary is on the island of San Lucas. 123 In 1 8^ I Costa Rica codified its civil and penal juris- prudence, amending the code materially seventeen years later. This has been the basis of her legal progress and is in force except as modified by subsequent statutes. Among the more important amendments are these: by the Penal Code in effect since 1880 the death penalty is abolished, as well as humiliating and cruel punishments; 1886 there was promulgated a new Civil Code, in which are prominent civil marriages, the right of divorce and the civil equality of woman. The Code of Commerce in force, founded on Spanish customs, was issued in 1853. The Fiscal Code of to-day went into effect in 1885. The Military Code of 1871 was superseded in 1884 by another more in accordance with modern institutions. The Jury System in criminal cases has been in force since 1873. The Municipal Statutes prevailing to-day were issued in 1867; the General Police Regulations in 1849. The "Ley Organica" of tribunals was framed in 1845 and modified slightly in 1852. In 1865 there was promulgated the law for a cred- itor's proceedings; the mortgage law was passed in 1865. Higher and professional education was provided for in 1843 by a law known as the "Statutes of the University of Santo Tomas," and in 1886 there was enacted a law for common education. The Registry of property and mortgages was opened in 1867, since which time various reforms have been intro- duced into the Mortgage Law. There are besides many special laws, like the Mining Statutes decreed in 1830; the Water Law of 1884 now in force; the Consular Regulations, and others. By decree of 24th of November, 1863, the decimal system for moneys now in use was adopted. By decree of loth of July, 1884, the metric system was adopted for weights and measures. All Costa Ricans between eighteen and fifty years of age are obliged to do military service according to law. 124 The army is divided into two parts; the first includes, under the head of active service, all soldiers from eighteen to forty years of age; the second comprises all the rest under the head of ''Reserve." There is a third division, known as the National Guard, including all citizens capable of shouldering arms outside of the foregoing. XIV. HISTORY. Until 1540 Spain reserved for the Crown that part of the territory of Veragua lying west of the portion which had been granted to the heirs of Columbus, but in that year it was erected into a province called Costa Rica. According to the narrative of Colonel G. E. Church, within a period of sixty years from the date of its dis- covery some ten feeble exploring and colonizing expedi- tions, mostly from Panama, were fitted out to occupy Costa Rica, but they all proved disastrous, the only result being the exasperation of the natives whom the Spaniards plundered, butchered and treated with signal barbarity. Between 1560 and 1573 the limits of Costa Rica were defined and confirmed by PhiHp II., those on the Atlantic Coast being the same as to-day, so far as Nicaragua is concerned. In 1562 Juan Vasquez de Coronado was named Alcalde and Mayor of the Province of Costa Rica and Veragua. He founded the City of Cartago which re- mained the capital until 1823. Up to 1622 fifteen governors succeeded Vasquez, but disappointed in their efforts to find gold, to enslave the Indian population, or to make the country prosperous, they allowed it to lapse into a barbarism far worse than it was at the time of its discovery. Barrantes says that in 1622 it had but fifty Spanish families, and these were in a condition of extreme poverty. A report, which the King ordered to be made about that time for purposes of taxation, stated: "In Costa Rica no mines of any metal are worked; no gold-washings, no. (125) 126 indigo cultivation, no sugar-mill exist. The people culti- vate only maize and wheat. There is no money. The poverty is such that the flour and biscuits which are not consumed are exchanged for necessary clothing." When Gregorio de Sandoval was named Captain- General, in 1634, and reached his port from the Atlantic Coast, he noted the importance of having a better port than that then existing at the mouth of the river Pacuare, and, therefore, in 1639 founded that of Matina, connect- ing it by a mule-trail 102 miles long with Cartago. From 1666 to the end of the century both the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts were ravaged by piratical expeditions. In 1 718 Diego de la Play a y Fernandez was appointed Captain-General. The following year he reported to the King on the condition of Costa Rica, which he pro- nounced the "poorest and most miserable of all America. The current money is the cacao seed, there not being a piece of silver in the entire country. There is not an eat- able sold in street or shop. Every family has to sow and reap what it consumes or expends during the year. Even the Governor has to do this or perish. Meanwhile the inhabitants of the province are contentious, chimerical and turbulent, and among the whole of them there are not forty men of medium capacity." In 1797 the governorship and military command were conferred on Tomas de Acosta, but after ruling for twelve years he wrote: "There is not in the entire mon- archy a province so indigent as this, for some of the inhabi- tants are clothed with the bark of trees, and others, that they may go to church, hire and borrow from their friends." This may be said to have been the condition of the country when the domination of Spain ended. The fifty-eight Governors, who, since 1563, had fol- lowed the ill-fated Vasquez de Coronado, had been little more than managers of a neglected farm, which scarcely yielded sufficient to enable its laborers to eke out a miser- able, half-starved existence. They had killed off or 127 enslaved the indigenous population. Their poverty had precluded the opening of roads or the clearing and culti- vation of the lands, while the exactions of Spain and its barbarous political and fiscal policy had smothered all commercial interests. In fact, Costa Rica had, during three centuries of Spanish domination, constantly retro- graded, and when the Spaniard retired from it, he left it less civilized than when he entered it in 1502. On September 15, 1821, Costa Rica joined Nicaragua in a decree of independence. On January 10, 1822, she proclaimed her union with the Iturbide Empire of Mexico under "the plan of Iguala," but in 1824 she resumed her ' independence, declared herself a Republic, elected Juan Mora as President, who remained in office for eight years, and became one of the United Provinces of Central Amer- ica. This weak, unmanageable union underwent a slow disintegration from 1838 to 1839. It fell in pieces for want of internal communications, like the old Columbian federation of New Granada, Venezuela and Ecuador. Among the twenty-four presidents and dictators who have governed Costa Rica since 1824, several have been men of marked intelligence and devoted patriotism, and under their administration the country has slowly emerged from its former depression, until to-day it may be said to be in a healthy political and commercial condition. Costa Rica is very much indebted to its first Presi- dent, Juan Mora. Other successful Presidents were: Juan Rafael Mora, from 1850 to 1859; General Tomas Guardia, from 1872 to 1876, and again from 1878 to 1882; Bernardo Soto, from 1885 to 1889, and Rafael Iglesias, since 1894. Since its independence there have been but few stirring events to agitate the country. The most impor-^ tant of them was the efficacious aid it gave to Nicaragua/ in 1857 in crushing the filibuster Walker, whose objectj was to add Nicaragua as slave territory to the United States. I' ;'f:i; it )] 19 .R 20 21 ,. M 23 „ 24 25 „■ 26 ^7~ZF~~" 29 _..■ 30 LBJL'05 i \ ^'■y,M'f'-:,-.. ,: ■:■.■■■ .■:■,:■. , ■ The republic OF COSTA RICA Gustavo Niederlein CHIEF OF THE SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT THE PHILADELPHIA COMMERCIAL MUSEUM I ^^^-^^^ yyL^jz>'V:Le^--f..^r.''^^-'<-<^<<,^,,.^ /■/'-I c^^'^-W>i^(:^^,ct<^ ,i , ^^ -S"%-